Right to Try: summary
Published 20 April 2026
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/right-to-try/right-to-try-summary
Overview
The Right to Try regulations will come into effect on 30 April 2026.
Right to Try strengthens existing regulations so that undertaking work or volunteering will not, on its own, lead to a reassessment of a benefit award.
Who it applies to
Right to Try applies to people who get:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Universal Credit (UC) who have been assessed as having Limited Capability for Work (LCW) or Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA)
- New Style Employment and Support Allowance (New Style ESA) who have been placed in the Work Related Activity Group or the Support Group
It also applies to people who receive both UC and New Style ESA and have a single LCW or LCWRA assessment outcome.
Who it does not apply to
The regulations do not apply to new UC or New Style ESA claimants who are still waiting for their first assessment.
Right to Try does not change the existing rules on permitted or allowed work. It will not change:
- the permitted work rules for New Style ESA, including the number of hours allowed and the earnings limit
- any existing arrangements that already allow people on benefits to undertake certain types of work without it affecting their award
- the ability to volunteer while receiving benefits under the current rules
- the duty to report changes of circumstances where required
What it does
Right to Try makes it clear that undertaking work or volunteering will not automatically lead to a reassessment.
Right to Try supports people to test their ability to work in a safe and predictable way. It strengthens existing protections for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions.
Information about work (such as the type of work) may still be considered in future assessments if it is relevant to the level of functional ability.
What it does not do
Right to Try does not stop reassessments happening for other reasons.
Starting work or volunteering does not prevent a reassessment from taking place. Any reassessment already planned will still go ahead.
A reassessment may also be arranged as part of the normal review process.
A reassessment may still take place if there is a change in condition, clear improvement in functional ability, or suspected fraud.
Who to contact
Contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you have questions about how Right to Try applies to your benefit.
For PIP
Use the contact details on your most recent PIP decision letter. You can also find contact information on the PIP pages on GOV.UK.
For UC
Send a message through your UC online account. If you cannot use your online account, call the Universal Credit helpline.
For New Style ESA
Contact the New Style ESA helpline using the details provided in your award letter.