What to know about the government's proposed changes to disability benefits

On 19 March, the UK government published proposals to change disability benefits across the UK. They shared these in a Green Paper, an official document published by governments with ideas of things they want to change.

This means nothing is changing today. There'll be a 12-week consultation on some of the plans.

However, some of the key proposals will be brought forward without consultation as part of a White Paper this autumn. White papers are policy documents produced by governments that set out their proposals for future legislation.

What are the government’s key proposals?

The government has proposed making several changes to disability benefits. These include:

Changing the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment criteria

People will still need to score at least 8 points in total in the ‘daily living’ activities to qualify for the daily living component of PIP.

However, under the new plans, 4 out of these 8 points will need to come from a single daily living activity. This could mean that people who need support to wash and dress themselves, or use aids to prepare food or to go to the toilet could find it harder to qualify for PIP. The criteria for the mobility component will not be changed.

This change will happen next year. It would apply to all new claimants and existing claimants if reassessed.

It won’t be consulted on.

Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment (WCA)

The WCA currently decides whether people get additional disability-related support on Universal Credit (UC). It also decides if they can get Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The government will scrap the WCA in 2028.

Under the new approach, UC claimants who also get the daily living component of PIP would get extra disability support on UC. But the tighter criteria for PIP mean it’s possible some people would get less support on UC.

This change won’t be consulted on.

Merging ESA and Jobseeker's Allowance

The government is proposing merging ESA with JSA to make a new ‘unemployment insurance’ benefit.

Disabled people who’re out of work, and who have any level of wealth, would be able to access it without an assessment. They could get this benefit if they’ve made enough National Insurance contributions in the last two to three years. It would be paid at the same rate as ESA, and would be time-limited.

The government is consulting on this change. They want to hear people’s views on how this should work.

Changing the rate of Universal Credit (UC) and additional allowances

From April 2026, the standard allowance of UC will increase by £7 a week. Disabled people who make a new claim to UC will only receive £50 additional disability-related support a week, on top of the standard allowance of this benefit. That's £47 a week less than under the previous system. Current claimants will see their additional disability allowance frozen at £97 a week until 2029.

The government is also proposing that people with the most severe, life-long conditions, who receive additional disability-related support on UC, will receive an additional premium and will never be reassessed. However, it’s not yet clear how many people with MS this would apply to.

These changes also won’t be consulted on.

Changing how people’s work requirements on UC and ESA are set

Currently, the work search requirements of people on UC and ESA are decided following the WCA. Most people with MS on these benefits don’t need to look for work. However, as the WCA wouldn't exist under the government’s new plans, they’ll need to design a new approach to setting these requirements.

The government is consulting on this change. They want to hear people’s views on how this should work.

What does this mean for Scotland?

In Scotland, Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is replacing PIP. This means the proposed plans for PIP wouldn’t apply there. The Scottish Government is currently running an independent review to look at how ADP could be improved.

We expect the review to publish its findings in July this year. The plan to scrap the WCA and the changes to the rates of UC will apply in Scotland.

What do we think of the government’s plans?

Some of the proposals could see some people with MS lose support. The government must scrap any cuts to disability benefits.

The government is forcing through its changes to PIP and the WCA without consulting on them. It’s unacceptable they’re denying disabled people their say on changes which would have a significant impact on their lives.

The government is proposing to make PIP harder to claim. This could mean many people with MS lose vital support they need to cover the extra costs of being disabled. We strongly oppose this move.

We’re concerned people would miss out on extra UC support if they don’t get the daily living component after their PIP assessment. And cutting extra support on UC will have a negative impact on the people with MS who are struggling the most. These targeted cuts are cruel and unjust.

Charles Gillies, our Senior Policy Officer and Policy Co-Chair at the Disability Benefits Consortium, says:

These immoral and devastating benefits cuts will push more disabled people into poverty, and worsen people’s health.

These harmful changes to PIP will make it even harder for disabled people – including many with MS – to manage the overwhelming additional costs of their condition, from wheelchairs to visits from carers. And any targeted cuts to disabled people on Universal Credit (UC) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) will largely hit people who are unable to work and rely on these benefits to survive. We are united in urging the government to abandon these cruel cuts.

What can we do to make our voices heard?

The consultation is one way for us to have our voices heard. Right now, we’re reading through proposals so we can better understand how they might impact people with MS. And making plans to get our voices heard and campaign against any cuts to disability benefits.

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If you're not already signed up to get the latest information about our campaigns and want to get involved in our campaigning on disability benefits, sign up today. We want to make sure everyone with MS is heard, so join us and raise your voice.

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Our MS Helpline is here to support you

We know the government’s proposals might be worrying for many people living with MS. We’re here to do all we can to support you.

Gavin Atkins, our Executive Director of Services and Support said: 

It’s important to remember nothing is changing today. If you live with MS but aren't sure if you're entitled to PIP or other benefits, our MS Helpline experts can help you understand what support is available.

Our team is also always here to listen and offer emotional support to anyone living MS or their friends and family.

Our MS Helpline is open Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm for anyone who has questions about life with MS.

Whether you're worried about early signs of MS, or have lived with MS for many years, we’re here for everyone. You can contact us on 0808 800 8000 or email us at [email protected].