New regulations confirm that starting paid or voluntary work will not, by itself, trigger a fresh health or disability reassessment for Universal Credit (UC), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The instrument was laid before Parliament on 9 April 2026 as part of the Government’s Right to Try policy and comes into force on 30 April 2026. The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has linked the measure to giving claimants confidence to attempt work without risking unnecessary reassessment. (theguardian.com)
The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/395) amend the 2013 principal regulations in three places. Regulation 41 of the UC Regulations 2013 is amended to state that doing work for payment or in expectation of payment, or doing voluntary work, is not a relevant change of circumstances for triggering a new assessment of limited capability for work or for work and work‑related activity. This aligns statute with operational intent under Right to Try. (theguardian.com)
Regulation 11 of the PIP Regulations 2013 is amended so that paid or voluntary work is not, on its own, a reason for a fresh determination of a claimant’s ability to carry out daily living or mobility activities. The Secretary of State retains the power to review for other reasons at any time; the change solely removes work itself as a trigger. This focuses PIP decision‑making on functional impact rather than employment status. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Regulations 15 and 30 of the ESA Regulations 2013 are amended to the same effect as for UC: paid work, work in expectation of payment, or voluntary work is not a relevant change of circumstances for reassessment of limited capability for work or limited capability for work‑related activity. Existing ESA ‘permitted work’ financial rules remain separate and are not altered by this instrument. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
What does not change is as important as what does. Claimants must still report substantive changes in their health condition or functional limitations, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) may still reassess where there is evidence of a change unrelated to starting work. For UC, earnings and hours will continue to affect award amounts through existing financial rules; for PIP, entitlement continues to turn on the descriptors for daily living and mobility, not on whether someone is employed. (gov.uk)
The SSAC has taken the regulations on formal reference under section 172(1) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. In its 12 February 2026 letter to the Minister for Social Security and Disability, the Committee welcomed the policy aim but asked for greater clarity on how ‘work‑related activities short of starting work’ will be treated in practice, including communications and operational guidance. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
For advisers, the immediate practical effect from 30 April 2026 is that beginning paid or voluntary work should not, of itself, lead to a Work Capability Assessment being re‑opened for UC or new‑style ESA, nor to a fresh PIP assessment. Where a review is initiated citing employment as the reason, advisers can challenge by referencing the new provisions inserted into UC regulation 41, PIP regulation 11 and ESA regulations 15 and 30, and request that any reassessment be justified by a different, relevant change.
Territorial application follows the extent of the principal 2013 regulations, meaning the changes apply in Great Britain. Northern Ireland operates separate social security legislation and would require corresponding provisions. Organisations supporting claimants should update internal scripts, casework templates and training materials to reflect the new non‑trigger status of work and volunteering.
The measure sits within a broader reform programme in which ministers have promoted a legal Right to Try guarantee. SSAC minutes note the focus on claimants already on the health‑related journey in UC and new‑style ESA, and the Committee has signalled it will provide further advice promptly to support timely implementation. Expect updated DWP guidance to follow the SSAC process. (gov.uk)