'Losing my benefits would be a travesty'

Stephanie Hughes, who receives PIP, described the benefits reforms as "cruel"

Reforms to the benefits system have been described as "targeting the vulnerable and disabled", according to a recipient.

On Tuesday the UK government announced a series of reforms to cut £5bn from the welfare budget by 2030 - including tightening the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

After speculation ministers would freeze PIP, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced the mobility component will not be impacted - but claimants will need to score four points in at least one activity to qualify.

Stephanie Hughes, who has degenerative disc disease and arthritis, has been in receipt of PIP since 2019 and said the announcement still left her in fear.

Ms Hughes, from Welshpool, Powys, said her PIP payment enabled her to lease a car, which gave her the independence to re-join the workplace.

She said before receiving PIP she spent six years out of work and they were some of the "hardest times of her life".

Ms Hughes said there are a lot of unanswered questions over the reforms and she remained in fear, adding: "If they take my PIP, it will be a travesty."

Ms Hughes, who has also been diagnosed with ADHD, said it was as much of a mental battle as it was a physical one but her payment enabled her to contribute to the workforce.

As of January 2025 there were 275,642 PIP claimants in Wales.

The payment was historically granted to anyone who finds it difficult to do everyday tasks or get around because of disability or a long-term physical or mental health condition.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said she contacted Downing Street to express concerns over changes to the system.

With only mobility unaffected in the PIP eligibility criteria, Ms Hughes has said her "heart breaks" for those claiming for mental health reasons.

Ms Hughes said work needed to be done to train assessors properly as she does not believe they can properly recognise those struggling with mental health conditions.

Other reforms include scrapping the work capability assessment for universal credit by 2028 and freezing incapacity benefits payments for next year in cash terms.

Ms Hughes says her "heart breaks" for PIP claimants who may be struggling with their mental health

Analysis

By Felicity Evans, BBC Wales money editor

The planned changes to the benefits system are likely to have a significant impact in Wales where more than 275,000 people currently claim the Personal Independence Payment - around 14% of the working age population.

Wales also has some of the highest health-related benefits claim rates among the working age population in all of England and Wales.

Blaenau Gwent is the highest, according to analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) which found one in five people aged between 16-64 were claiming such benefits in 2023-24.

Merthyr Tydfil is in the top three with a health-related benefit claimant rate of more than 18%.

These rates have increased since the pandemic but were also at a high level before Covid, illustrating the sharp geographical differences between more economically deprived areas and more prosperous ones.

In their report, which examined the trend in health-related claims post-pandemic, the IFS said "richer and healthier areas, typically in London and the south east, have much lower claim rates than areas such as Wales and the north east" of England.

'Second-class citizens'

Speaking ahead of the reform system announcement, Chloe Morgan, 30, from Penllergaer near Swansea, said she was apprehensive over the possibility that PIP could be frozen or cut and said disabled people already feel like "second-class citizens".

Ms Morgan has osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, which means she uses a wheelchair or an adapted car to leave the house.

"Anyone with a disability faces so many more costs per month [and] without PIP, I don't know how I'd make ends meet," said Ms Morgan, who works part time.

The process of claiming benefits is hostile, she said, and already puts many people off claiming what they may be entitled to.

She added: "I get that they do need to ask these questions but the assessment feels like an interrogation.

"They're trying to catch you out and you feel like a criminal. I don't think that's fair on people who are disabled.

"So when they say about saving money, there are so many who don't apply for PIP because they're scared of the whole process."

Chloe Morgan says disability claims can feel like an "interrogation"

Melanie McLaughlin, 47, from Pontardawe, Swansea, said Universal Credit and PIP helped her live independently, given she cannot work 40 hours a week and the rising cost of living.

"We have a system and it needs be used correctly, but attacking people who have health conditions and disabilities is not going to improve things," she said.

"Don't attack people in society who don't have a voice."

Debbie Warren, from Garnant, added cuts to benefits would be "devastating" and take many recipients "below the poverty line if you're not already there".

"My husband is quite poorly again but he's been told he's fit to work which is ridiculous. He's 65 and recovering from a brain operation."

Debbie Warren fears many on benefits will fall below the poverty line

Hamza Pervez, 21, said he relied on food banks and, along with his stepmother, depended on Universal Credit and PIP to survive because "not everyone on benefits can work".

He added: "It would be very difficult for people who are vulnerable to provide for their household, to bring back food and pay the bills.

"A lot of people would be struggling and fall into debt. We would probably see more people becoming homeless."

The Institute for Fiscal Studies says mental health and behavioural conditions cited by claimants has increased significantly over the past two decades.

In 2002 it was the main condition for 25% of claimants, but had risen to 40% by 2019 and reached 44% by 2024.

Wes Streeting said there had been an "overdiagnosis" of mental health conditions, with too many people "written off".

But disability charity Sense said 43% of disabled people with complex needs were already in debt because benefits payments do not cover essential costs such as food and bills.

The charity's research also suggested 40% of disabled people with complex needs on PIP say benefits have helped support them in order to find a job.

Hamza Pervez already relies on food banks for help

The Department for Work and Pensions said: "We have been clear that the current welfare system is broken and needs reform, so that it helps long-term sick and disabled people who can work to find employment, ensuring people receive the support they need, while being fair to the taxpayer.

"Without reform more people will be locked out of jobs, despite many wanting to work. That is not just bad for the economy, it's bad for people too."