DWP Pathways to Work green paper: what disabled families need to know

The DWP's Pathways to Work green paper sets out the biggest proposed changes to PIP and the health element of Universal Credit in a generation. Proposals include tightening PIP eligibility, scrapping the Work Capability Assessment, and a new "right to try" work guarantee. Nothing has changed yet — but families should understand what's being consulted on.

## The headline proposals - Raising the PIP daily living threshold so claimants must score at least 4 points in a single activity. - Replacing the Work Capability Assessment with a single PIP-based assessment. - A new "right to try" so people can try work without automatically losing benefits. - Higher rates of Universal Credit standard allowance, balanced against a lower health element for new claimants. ## What hasn't changed - DLA for children is **not** in scope of this green paper. - Existing PIP and UC awards are not being cut overnight. - All changes require legislation and consultation responses. ## What families can do - Respond to the consultation if it affects you (closes in stages through 2026). - Keep evidence of how a condition affects daily life — this matters more than ever. - If you're due a PIP review or DLA-to-PIP transfer at 16, ask for help early. **Source:** Department for Work and Pensions, "Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working" green paper.

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