What the April 2026 benefit changes mean for people with Parkinson's

UC changes

Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit for people of working age to help with your living costs. This payment is made up of:

• a standard allowance
• any additional amounts you might get based on your individual circumstances, such as a UC health payment. 

From 7 April, the UC 'standard allowance' is increasing from £92 a week to £98 a week. 

The UC health payment is also changing, with different rates for new and existing claimants:  

• For those who claim UC from 7 April, you’ll receive an additional health payment of £50 a week.
• For those with an ongoing UC claim, you’ll continue to be paid an additional health payment of £97 a week. 

Finally, the 2 child limit will no longer apply. Families with 3 or more children will receive an extra child payment for each additional child. 

PIP changes

PIP is a benefit you can claim if you need extra help with day-to-day activities or have trouble getting around due to your health or condition.

Firstly, the UK Government is increasing the number of in-person PIP assessments from 6% to 30%. 

Many people prefer in-person assessments, while others feel telephone or documentary evidence-based assessments work better for them. 

We believe that people with Parkinson’s should be able to choose how they're assessed. And an increase in the number of in-person assessments means more people will have their preference. 

Secondly, PIP awards will last for a minimum of 3 years for new PIP claimants aged 25 and over. As a claimant, your reward will increase to 5 years at your next review if you remain entitled. 

We’re also expecting PIP assessors to receive revised training, but we don’t have further details yet.  

What’s happening with the Timms PIP Review?

The PIP Review Steering Group published a call for evidence on 19 March, which will close on 28 May 2026. 

Respond to the call for evidence on the GOV.UK website or email [email protected]. 

The Steering Group has chosen to review four themes: 

• the role and purpose of PIP
• eligibility, fairness and equity in the award of PIP
• experience of claiming PIP
• changing context and the impact on PIP.

The Minister is keen to hear creative ideas for reform from those who have claimed PIP. For those interested in submitting their experiences to the Review, we'll be producing a template response soon.

The Steering Group also plans to hold in-person events across the country this summer. These will give people the chance to share their views directly with the DWP. We’ll share further details as soon as we have them.

Parkinson’s UK Review Reference Group

We’ve set up our own group of people with Parkinson’s who have experience of PIP. 

Their recommendations on how PIP can be improved for people with Parkinson’s will be sent to the Minister and all members of the UK government PIP Review Steering Group.

We’d love to hear your ideas and experiences, so please email them to us at [email protected].