Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can make a real difference to people’s lives - whether you receive it yourself, support someone who does, or work to remove barriers faced by disabled people. Right now, there’s an opportunity to shape its future. The Timms Review is gathering evidence from people with lived experience, and student voices are essential. Here’s what you need to know - and how you can get involved. 

The Who 

The Timms Review is an independent review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), led by government‑appointed co‑chairs and informed directly by people who are affected by the system. 

The call for evidence is open to: 

• Disabled people and PIP recipients 

• Students with long‑term health conditions 

• Carers and those supporting someone who receives PIP 

• Organisations and groups representing disabled people 

If you have personal experience of PIP - as a claimant or a carer - your perspective matters. 

The Why 

Personal Independence Payment plays a vital role in supporting disabled people with the additional costs of daily living - including many students balancing study alongside longterm health conditions, disabilities, or caring responsibilities. 

The Timms Review has the potential to improve how PIP works, making it fairer, more accessible, and better aligned with people’s realworld experiences. 

Without strong input from disabled people, carers, and those directly affected, there is a real possibility that decisions are shaped without fully understanding the impact on people’s lives - including access to education, independence, and wellbeing. 

This call for evidence is a chance to protect, strengthen, and improve PIP, by making sure policymakers hear directly from those who rely on it. Student voices can help ensure that any future changes move in the right direction, not away from support. 

By sharing your experience, you’re: 

• Contributing to national campaigning 

• Strengthening advocacy for disabled students 

• Supporting fairer access to education and support 

• Helping shape a system that works better for everyone 

The What 

The Timms Review is asking for evidence across four key areas: 

• The role and purpose of PIP 
  What should PIP exist to do, and is it achieving that aim? 
   
• Eligibility, fairness, and equity 
  Who can access PIP, how decisions are made, and whether the system treats people fairly. 
   
• The experience of claiming PIP 
  From applications and assessments to communication and appeals. 
   
• Changing context and impact 
  How rising living costs, education, work, and health pressures affect disabled people today. 

You don’t need to be an expert - your lived experience is the evidence. 

The When 

The call for evidence is open now and runs until 11:59pm on 28 May 2026. 

While this topic might not always make headlines, it’s becoming increasingly important. With upcoming local elections and growing national conversations around social mobility, access, and healthcare, this review is likely to shape future policy discussions. 

That makes now a crucial moment for student voices to be heard. 

The How 

Taking part is simple: 

• Share your experience through the official call for evidence 

• Talk about what works, what doesn’t, and what you would change 

• Respond in a way that feels right for you - there’s no “perfect” answer 

Take part here: Submit Evidence

More information about the Timms Review