The proposed changes to disability benefits are a hot topic in the news but it can be tricky to know how you might be affected. Here’s what you need to know and how you can have your voice heard.

What has happened so far?

The significant changes, mostly relating to Personal Independence Payments and Universal Credit, were first publicly suggested in a Government Green Paper called ‘Pathways to Work’ in March 2025. Green Papers do not indicate that a final decision has been made, rather they are a way for the Government to collect opinions from anyone who chooses to share their views, and explore ways to move forward.

Many disability charities, including the national brain injury charity, Headway – the brain injury association, have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the changes, on the basis that many people will not qualify for the support they need to live fulfilling and independent lives.

What are the main changes that have been proposed in the Paper?

  • Changes to PIP (Personal Independence Payment):

As it stands, you need to score 8 points in total across different daily activities to qualify. Under the proposed changes, you’ll still need 8 points in total, but you must get at least 4 points from just one activity, meaning you can’t add up small scores from lots of different areas. From 2026/27 this will affect existing claimants from the point of their review as well as new claimants.

  • Changes to Universal Credit Health Payments:

From 2026-2027, the extra money that people with disabilities get with Universal Credit would be frozen. New claimants from April 2026 would get much less money. There will be a new “Severe Disability Premium” for people with serious, lifelong disabilities, but details of this have not been provided yet.

  • New Assessment System:

In 2028, the Work Capability Assessment (the test that decides whether or not you’re able to work) will be scrapped. It will be replaced by the PIP assessment, which is significantly more challenging to pass.

  • Young People with Disabilities:

Young disabled people would keep getting Disability Living Allowance until they’re 18 years old, however, they wouldn’t be able to receive the health payments until they turn 22.

  • Merging the contribution-based ESA and Jobseeker’s Allowance

into a new benefit called ‘Unemployment Insurance’. This would only last for a certain amount of time and would be paid at a set rate. People with disabilities would not get extra money on this benefit.

What does Headway think about the proposed changes?

National brain injury charity, Headway – the brain injury association, has expressed concerns about the changes having ‘a devastating effect on those living with brain injury’ and in response is advocating for:

Fairer PIP assessments, undertaken by assessors who have been trained in the complex and fluctuating nature of brain injury.

The commissioning of brain injury advocates to explain individual’s needs to prospective employers and to champion appropriate support and reasonable adjustments in the workplace.

Government funding for vocational rehabilitation, enabling local Headway charities to support people with brain injuries who wish to return to work but need specialist rehabilitation and long-term support to do so.

Want to have your say on the proposed changes?

Write to or email your MP! You can find the name and contact information of your local MP on the Government website. Remember, they work for you as a constituent and they should be representing you and your expressed best interests. There is significant disagreement between MPs on the fairness of the suggested actions in the Green Paper, but MPs are due to begin voting on the proposed changes from 1st July.