Published 15 June 2026 · Last updated 22 June 2026
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) remains one of the most important sources of support for disabled people in the UK, and 2026 has brought both an uprating of the rates and the prospect of wider reform. For anyone funding mobility equipment, from a mobility scooter to a wheelchair, the changes are worth understanding because PIP can free up household income that pays for everyday independence.
From April 2026, social security benefits across the UK, including PIP, rose by 3.8 percent in line with inflation. The standard daily living component increased by roughly £146 a year, while the enhanced daily living rate rose by about £218. On the mobility side, standard mobility recipients gained around £58 a year and enhanced mobility recipients about £152. These are modest sums, but for households managing the cost of mobility aids and adaptations, every increase helps.
A quieter but significant change took effect on 1 June 2026. Amending regulations created a new ground that allows the Secretary of State to extend the length of a fixed term PIP award where this is necessary to safeguard efficient administration. In practice this is designed to reduce the volume of reassessments and the anxiety that comes with them, giving some claimants a longer period of stability before they are reviewed again.
The bigger picture is the Timms Review. Launched in autumn 2025, it is a government led evaluation of the PIP assessment process, and its findings are expected in autumn 2026. The review is widely seen as the foundation for future reform, and disability charities have urged the government to make assessments fairer, more transparent and less reliant on functional points that fail to capture real world barriers. Until the review reports, the headline rules on eligibility remain in place.
It is also worth noting how PIP interacts with the Motability Scheme. Recipients of the enhanced mobility rate can exchange that part of their payment for a leased car, scooter or powered wheelchair. Anyone watching the scheme should be aware that separate tax changes affecting new Motability leases are arriving in July 2026, which we cover elsewhere in our news section.
If you are new to claiming, the daily living component supports people who need help with everyday tasks, while the mobility component supports those who struggle to plan journeys or move around. The amount you receive depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. Many people use their award to cover the running costs of equipment, the cost of a stairlift quote and installation, or contributions towards home adaptations.
For impartial information on rates and eligibility, the House of Commons Library briefing on disability benefits is a reliable starting point, and the Child Poverty Action Group tracks reform developments. Saga also publishes accessible summaries for older claimants.
As always, decisions about benefits and equipment funding are personal, and we would encourage anyone unsure of their position to speak to a welfare rights adviser before making major purchases.
Related guides on Review Mobility
Published 15 June 2026 · Last updated 22 June 2026