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PIP and the Budget: What Disabled People Want Next
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
October 30, 2025
As the UK Government prepares its next Budget, disabled and neurodivergent people are watching closely to see if real change is finally coming. For many, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a lifeline — not because it replaces income, but because it helps cover the extra costs of being disabled.
Looking for confirmed April 2026 PIP rates and payment dates?
The full, up-to-date guide is here: PIP Increases 2026: April Payment Changes Explained.
This article focuses on what disabled people say they need most from the next Budget — and what meaningful support could look like in real life. To understand what truly matters, Purpl ran a nationwide community poll of 785 disabled and neurodivergent members.
At a Glance
- PIP exists to help cover the extra costs of disability — it isn’t an out-of-work benefit
- Purpl surveyed 785 disabled and neurodivergent members on what should change next
- Top priorities included higher disability support, better NHS and social care funding, and fairer assessments
- This article shares the poll results, member quotes, and the changes people want to see
In this Article
- What is PIP?
- Why PIP Matters for Disabled and Neurodivergent People
- Purpl Research: What Disabled People Want From The Budget
- What The Next Budget Should Include For Disability Support
- How These Changes Would Impact Disabled People
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Final Thoughts
What is PIP?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) provides non-means-tested financial support to disabled people aged 16 to State Pension age who have long-term health conditions or disabilities that affect daily life or mobility.
Importantly, PIP is not an out-of-work benefit. Instead, it exists to help cover the additional costs of living with a disability — from higher energy bills to mobility aids, specialist equipment, and extra support with daily living.
PIP is made up of two parts, and depending on circumstances, a person may qualify for one or both:
- Daily Living
- Mobility
For confirmed April 2026 rates and payment dates, see: PIP Increases 2026: April Payment Changes Explained.
Why PIP Matters for Disabled and Neurodivergent People
Living with a disability or a long-term health condition often comes with unavoidable extra costs. Even when support exists, everyday life can still feel out of reach — from keeping the heating on, to paying for accessible transport, to covering equipment or care needs that other people never have to consider.
- Soaring living costs and rising energy bills mean that even with PIP, many are struggling to make ends meet.
- Delays in NHS and social care treatment can force people to pay privately or go without essential care altogether.
- Assessments that fail to recognise hidden or fluctuating conditions can leave people feeling unseen, misunderstood, and unfairly judged.
When disability support fails to keep pace with real-life needs, the impact is immediate and deeply felt. Many people find themselves having to choose between heating, food, or vital health-related expenses — choices no one should ever have to make.
Purpl Research: What Disabled People Want From The Budget
In response to growing concerns about the rising cost of living and uncertainty around disability support, Purpl ran a poll in October 2025 within our private members’ group of over 6,000 people. In just 24 hours, 785 disabled and neurodivergent members took part, answering one simple but important question:
“What would you most like to see announced in the next Budget to better support disabled and neurodivergent people in the UK?”
The results showed a powerful message about what matters most to the community:
- 41% want increased disability benefits or stronger cost-of-living support
- 18% called for improved NHS and social care funding
- 8% want more affordable housing and accessible home adaptations
- 8% prioritised stronger support for carers and family members
- 5% highlighted better access to employment and fairer workplace support
- 5% said more funding for neurodiversity diagnosis, treatment and shared care
- 15% raised a mix of other priorities including mental-health support, mobility schemes and accessible sport
Other key priorities raised included:
- Greater recognition of mental health and shorter waiting times for assessment and treatment
- Better public awareness of the Motability scheme and its real costs
- Help with car adaptations and accessibility for wheelchair and scooter users
- Better access to disability sports and physical activities
What Members Told Us
Applying for Attendance Allowance is a nightmare — the forms, the waiting times, and assessors who don’t understand disability.
— Suki
Bring back the Winter Fuel Allowance for people on PIP — we’re at home more, and the cold affects our health.
— Tracy
We need investment in NHS pathways and job support. We can’t work if we can’t get treated.
— Jemma
DWP should pay when their assessments are overturned on appeal — it would make them more accountable.
— Louise
People just want to be treated fairly. Many of us are scared of reassessments that don’t reflect lifelong conditions.
— Alexis
What The Next Budget Should Include For Disability Support
Disabled and neurodivergent people tell us small changes won’t work — meaningful support has to reflect real life. From those conversations, our community has made it clear what should sit at the heart of the next Budget:
- First, disability support that reflects real-life costs, not just inflation figures on paper.
- Secondly, faster and fairer assessments carried out by better-trained assessors who understand fluctuating, hidden and neurodivergent conditions.
- In addition, better NHS and social care funding to cut waiting lists and keep care consistent for people with complex needs.
- Just as importantly, recognition of neurodiversity and shared care pathways for ADHD, autism, and related conditions that too often fall through the cracks.
- Finally, protection for existing claimants, so future reforms do not punish people who rely on this support.
How These Changes Would Impact Disabled People
If the next Budget includes real investment in disability support:
- Individuals could stay warm, cover essential living costs, and maintain independence.
- Neurodivergent people could access earlier diagnosis and medication through shared care.
- Carers and families would receive recognition and respite support.
- Disability would be treated not as a cost to manage but as a vital part of a fair society.
We don’t want special treatment — just the chance to live with dignity and without fear of being forgotten.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Where can confirmed April 2026 PIP rates and payment dates be found?
A: The full guide is here: PIP Rates & Increases 2026: April Payment Changes Explained.
Q2: Can a person work or have savings and still receive PIP?
A: Yes. PIP is non-means-tested and tax free. It is based on how a condition affects daily living and mobility, not income or employment status.
Q3: How are PIP awards decided?
A: Through a points-based assessment measuring how a condition affects daily tasks and mobility.
Q4: Why are disabled people worried about disability support not keeping pace?
A: Many people say disability-related costs rise faster than standard inflation measures, while NHS and social care delays can add further pressure.
Final Thoughts
The next Budget will be a defining moment for disabled and neurodivergent people in the UK. PIP is meant to cover the extra costs of being disabled, not to replace income. However, over time, many people feel support has fallen behind the true cost of living and the realities of navigating healthcare, care services and accessibility barriers.
Through our community poll, we heard a clear message. People want fairness, not favouritism — systems that recognise real-life costs and support independence rather than dependency.
At Purpl, we’ll continue to amplify those voices and campaign for practical change that helps every disabled person live with confidence, dignity, and respect.
About the Author
Georgina Colman is the founder of Purpl, a platform dedicated to helping disabled people save money through meaningful discounts and exclusive offers. Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and ADHD, she understands first-hand the financial pressures that come with managing a disability — and she’s on a mission to help others offset those costs and live more freely.
As an ambulatory wheelchair user, Georgina knows what it’s like to face a loss of independence and navigate daily challenges. Her passion for holistic health, nutrition, and inflammation management fuels her commitment to staying well and empowering others to do the same.
Through Purpl, she aims to build more than just a savings platform — she’s creating an essential resource for disabled people, offering practical support, expert advice, and genuine financial relief.
The Purpl Members Private Facebook Group provides a safe, supportive community where members can connect, share experiences, and lift each other up.
Looking ahead, Georgina’s long-term vision is to launch a foundation offering grants to disabled individuals who need additional financial support, ensuring no one is left behind due to circumstance or cost.
Follow @Purpldiscounts on social media for the latest disability discounts, financial advice, and accessibility resources.
Other articles, or links, you might find useful:
PIP Bill vs Up-Rating Order: What Changes in 2026
DLA to PIP at Age 16: Parent’s Guide to Your Child’s Transition
Disability Living Allowance for Adults: What You Need to Know
How to Apply for PIP and Maximise the Benefits in the UK
How to Challenge a PIP Decision in the UK
PIP Backdated Payments: How Long Will You Wait?
What Illnesses Qualify for Disability Living Allowance & PIP?
Going Abroad On PIP: The 4-Week Rule That Could Pause Your Payments
PIP Discounts and Freebies 2026: Maximise Savings with your PIP Benefits
Council Vouchers and Extra Help With PIP
PIP Rates & Increases 2026: April Payment Changes Explained
