The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
This Statutory Instrument, which applies only to England and Wales, amends the 2013 regulations governing decisions and appeals for Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Jobseeker's Allowance, and Employment and Support Allowance by inserting a provision that empowers the Secretary of State to extend the duration of any fixed-term award of Personal Independence Payment if deemed necessary to ensure the efficient administration of that benefit.
Arguments For
Providing the Secretary of State with the necessary flexibility to manage administrative burdens efficiently regarding Personal Independence Payment (PIP) fixed-term awards.
Ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the PIP system by allowing extensions where necessary to safeguard efficient administration.
Arguments Against
Potential for applicants whose PIP reviews are delayed to experience uncertainty or disruption regarding their continued entitlement due to administrative extensions.
Concerns regarding the scope of 'necessary to safeguard the efficient administration,' as this could potentially be interpreted broadly, leading to routine extensions rather than case-by-case necessity.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2026 No. 457
SOCIAL SECURITY, ENGLAND AND WALES
The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Made - - - -
at 11.30 a.m. on 27th April 2026
Laid before Parliament
at 2.30 p.m. on 27th April 2026
Coming into force - -
2nd June 2026
This section identifies the instrument as a Statutory Instrument made in 2026, specifically number 457, concerning Social Security matters within England and Wales.
The regulations amend existing rules for Universal Credit, PIP, Jobseeker's Allowance, and Employment and Support Allowance decisions and appeals.
They were officially made on April 27, 2026, laid before Parliament the same day, and were set to come into force on June 2, 2026.
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 10(3) and 79(1), (4) and (7) of the Social Security Act 1998( 1 ).
The Secretary of State enacted these regulations using powers granted under specific sections of the Social Security Act 1998.
These granted legislative powers relate to the ability to prescribe regulations concerning social security decisions and appeals.
In accordance with section 173(1)(b) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992( 2 ), the Social Security Advisory Committee has agreed that the proposals in respect of these Regulations should not be referred to it.
Compliance with procedural requirements from the Social Security Administration Act 1992 is noted here.
The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) confirmed that there was no need to formally refer the specific proposals contained within these amending regulations to them for consideration.
Citation, commencement and extent
- -(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 and come into force on 2nd June 2026.
- (2) These Regulations extend to England and Wales only.
The first substantive regulation provides the formal citation title for these rules and confirms the effective commencement date of June 2, 2026.
It explicitly states that the jurisdiction and geographical scope of these amendments are restricted solely to England and Wales.
Amendment of the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 2013
- After regulation 22 of the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 2013 (introduction)( 3 ), insert-
( 1 ) 1998 c. 14. See section 84 for the definition of 'prescribe'.
( 2 ) 1992 c. 5.
( 3 ) S.I. 2013/381, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
This section introduces the core change by amending the principal legislation from 2013 (S.I. 2013/381).
The amendment involves inserting a new regulation immediately following Regulation 22, which concerns the introductory provisions of the 2013 Regulations.
' Extension
- 22A. The Secretary of State may extend the length of a fixed term award of personal independence payment( 4 ), where the Secretary of State considers it necessary to do so to safeguard the efficient administration of personal independence payment.'.
This inserted regulation, numbered 22A, grants the Secretary of State the explicit authority to prolong the duration of any Personal Independence Payment (PIP) award that was initially set for a specified, fixed period.
This extension is only permissible if the Secretary of State determines it is required to maintain the efficient operation and administration of the PIP scheme.
Signed by the authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions at 11.30 a.m. on 27th April 2026
Stephen Timms Minister of State Department for Work and Pensions
( 4 ) See section 88(2) of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), which makes provision for fixed term awards of personal independence payment.
The document is formally authenticated by Stephen Timms, Minister of State for the Department for Work and Pensions, on the date the instrument was made.
A footnote references the Welfare Reform Act 2012, which provides the original legal basis for setting fixed-term awards for Personal Independence Payment.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend Part 3 of the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/381).
Regulation 2 allows the Secretary of State to extend the length of a fixed term award of personal independence payment, where it is considered necessary to do so to safeguard the efficient administration of personal independence payment.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary sector or community bodies is foreseen.
The accompanying Explanatory Note confirms the purpose: modifying Part 3 of the 2013 Regulations concerning decisions and appeals for various social security benefits.
Specifically, Regulation 2 permits the Secretary of State to extend fixed-term PIP awards when necessary for administrative efficiency.
Furthermore, the note states that a full impact assessment was deemed unnecessary because no significant impact on private, voluntary, or community sectors is anticipated.
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