DWP to recommence transfer process for around 150,000 adult DLA claimants that are still in scope to be reassessed for PIP

Stakeholder update says that an initial test phase from September 2026 will involve 3,000 cases across England and Wales to help understand claimant, operational and financial impacts before any wider rollout
The DWP has confirmed that it plans to recommence the adult disability living allowance (DLA) to personal independence payment (PIP) transfer process for around 150,000 adult DLA claimants in England and Wales who are still in scope to be reassessed for PIP.
Soon after PIP began to be rolled out nationally from June 2013, the DWP commenced the process of inviting DLA claimants who were aged 16 to 64 on 8 April 2013, and those who reached age 16 after that date, to transfer to PIP. This DWP-initiated invitation process was then paused in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and, since then, transfer invitations have only been issued if a change of circumstances is reported or a fixed-term DLA award expires.
Having briefly outlined plans to restart the transfer process for the estimated 153,000 DLA claimants still in scope to be reassessed for PIP in its July 2026 Operational Stakeholder Engagement Forum, the Department has this week provided rightsnet with further details, confirming that-
‘From September 2026, DWP will be running a test of 3,000 cases across England and Wales to understand claimant, operational and financial impacts before any wider rollout to ensure that any restart of the process is done safely and in a controlled way. These cases will be randomly selected by postcode.’
The Department also confirms that –
‘If selected, claimants will be invited to claim PIP. Claimants will usually need to complete a claim form and may have an assessment which can be face-to-face, phone, video, or occasionally paper-based. The Department will ensure that support and reasonable adjustments are available throughout this process. Another person can support the claimant during the process, or if needed an individual or organisation can apply for the right to deal with the benefits of someone who cannot manage their own affairs. If a claimant disagrees with a decision, they can request a Mandatory Reconsideration.’
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