PIP Reforms: What does it mean for Refugees & Migrants
Recent proposals to cut welfare benefits, especially PIP, have created uncertainty among people entitled to PIP nationwide. While policymakers highlight goals like efficiency and fairness, refugees and migrants navigating the immigration system face increased risks.
What are Personal Independence Payments?
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) is an essential income source for many, enabling thousands of people with disabilities and health conditions including refugees and migrants to live independently. This crucial financial support helps cover the additional costs of living with a disability, such as mobility aids, home adaptations, transportation, and personal care. While alleviating these financial burdens PIP enables individuals to participate fully in their community and contribute financially to the local economy, whether by working, volunteering, or contributing through spending on housing, groceries, and other necessities. The independence and security resulting from PIP empowers individuals to focus on their well-being, seek employment where possible, and engage in community life. If an individual that is unable to get to work due to mobility issues, they may be able to access mobility funding from PIP in order to enable them to continue their employment.
However, recent proposals to cut welfare benefits, especially PIP, have created uncertainty among people entitled to PIP nationwide. While policymakers highlight goals like efficiency and fairness, refugees and migrants navigating the immigration system face increased risks. These cuts add significant new barriers on top of existing challenges. Meaningful welfare reform must carefully consider the needs of vulnerable refugee and migrant communities, ensuring support for those with health conditions and disabilities remains fair, inclusive, and effective.
How It Works Today
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a non-means-tested benefit (not based on income) to help people with the extra costs of long-term health conditions or disabilities. Its key feature is that it is accessible to those who might not qualify for means-tested benefits.
PIP has two components: Daily Living (to support everyday activities like eating, dressing, managing health) and Mobility (for getting around).
Eligibility Criteria
When a person applies for PIP, they go through an assessment where points are given based on how much help they need with everyday tasks. To qualify for the Daily Living part of PIP, a person must score at least 8 points in total.
Different types of support add up to this score. For example:
- Needing occasional help with dressing = 2 points
- Assistance with washing = 2 points
- Supervision while cooking = 2 points
- Reminders to take medication = 2 points
These points are added together. If someone reaches 8 points, they get the standard rate of PIP. If they score 12 or more points, they qualify for the higher (enhanced) rate. Importantly, there’s no requirement to get a certain number of points in one single task, what matters is the total score across different difficulties.
The mobility part of PIP, which assesses a person’s ability to move around, is calculated separately and is not included in the current reform proposals.
The proposed changes mean that to qualify, a person must score at least four points for one activity, instead of adding up smaller scores (like 1s and 2s) from different tasks.
While PIP is a national program, not designed for any one demographic, refugees and migrants with disabilities endure unique structural problems in accessing it, such as language barriers and difficulty providing medical evidence.
Key Challenges faced by Refugees and Migrants
1- Language Barrier
Many refugees and newly arrived migrants do not speak fluent English, which makes completing the PIP application and assessment process daunting. The forms and official communications are in complex Medical Jargon. Research by the British Red Cross found that many refugees have limited English and struggle to understand the language used in Home Office letters about their status and entitlements.
2- Digital Exclusion
The benefits system is increasingly “digital by default.” Claiming PIP usually starts with a phone call, but following communications and tracking can involve online portals. These systems require computer literacy and internet access, which often isn’t the case for refugees, who have to depend on voluntary sector support for support. Some newly granted refugees leave asylum accommodation with just a basic smartphone (or none) and may not immediately have a laptop, broadband, or know how to use these systems. This digital divide means starting a PIP claim or receiving follow-up questions can be a challenge.
3- Lack of Medical Documentation
PIP assessments require strong medical evidence, such as doctor’s letters and diagnoses. Refugees and asylum seekers often lack complete medical records, having fled without important paperwork or with documents not in English. Many have not received consistent healthcare during their migration and may only begin accessing the NHS after gaining refugee status. This makes it difficult for them to provide the necessary evidence for PIP. For example, a British-born applicant might have detailed letters from specialists, while a refugee might only have a brief GP note or NGO letter, which are often seen as less credible. This lack of medical history creates a significant barrier to support.
4- Misperceptions and Knowledge Gaps
Confusion around No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) rules creates a significant barrier. Many migrants with NRPF, such as those on work or spousal visas, may qualify for PIP, but understanding this can be challenging without expert advice. Most applicants must pass the “past presence test,” meaning they need to have lived in the UK for 2 out of the last 3 years. Refugees are exempt from this rule, but other migrants may not qualify immediately. For instance, someone who arrived on a family visa a year ago and then became seriously ill wouldn’t be eligible for PIP until they had lived in the UK for at least 2 years.
RMC’s Role
The Refugee and Migrant Centre exist to bridge the gap between refugee and migrants and essential services, enabling our beneficiaries to live independently. Delivering expert advice on PIP eligibility and supporting with the complex application process is a key part of this. RMC recognise the structural barriers faced by our beneficiary group when trying to access PIP, therefore provide multilingual support, assist with gathering medical documentation and help to complete the lengthy application.
RMC recognise the significant positive impact PIP can have on individuals and local communities through their economic and social contributions. As a result, we are committed to raising awareness of the issues that could arise from the proposed reforms.
Way Ahead
In summary, Personal Independence Payments (PIP) is an essential income source for many, enabling individual with health conditions and disabilities, including refugees and migrants, to live independently and with dignity. However, existing structural barriers make it difficult for refugees and migrants to access Personal Independence Payments (PIP), leaving these already vulnerable communities even more at risk. The proposed changes to eligibility, combined with rising cost of living and issues related to No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), could lead to a welfare system that cuts vital support for those who need it most.
To create meaningful change, we must view social justice as an investment. This means that by supporting fair treatment and equal opportunities for everyone, we are not just helping individuals in need; we are also strengthening our communities as a whole. This includes targeted funding for services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, promoting digital access, and reaching out to communities in need. It is crucial to provide support to local organisations to bridge the gap between welfare systems and the individuals they aim to assist.
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