What is Right to Try

What is Right to Try?

Right to Try is a government initiative designed to help people with disabilities and long-term health conditions feel more confident about trying work or volunteering.

From 30 April 2026, starting work or volunteering of its own will not be used as a reason to reassess certain benefit awards. The aim is to give people more confidence to explore work or volunteering without worrying that simply trying it will automatically affect their benefits.

Many people receiving health-related benefits want to explore employment, training or volunteering opportunities, but may be concerned about how this could affect their financial support. Right to Try aims to provide greater reassurance and flexibility.

Who can use Right to Try?

Right to Try applies to people receiving:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Universal Credit (UC) if you have been assessed as having Limited Capability for Work (LCW) or Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA)
• New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you are in the Work-Related Activity Group or Support Group

It also applies to some who receive both Universal Credit and New Style ESA.

What does Right to Try mean in practice?

Starting work or volunteering should not, by itself, be used as the reason to begin a reassessment.

The rules are designed to make it easier for people to:

• Try paid work
• Build confidence through volunteering
• Explore whether work is right for them
• Take steps towards employment without unnecessary worry

This can be particularly helpful for people whose mental health condition, disability or long-term illness affects their confidence about returning to work.

What Right to Try does not change

Right to Try does not cancel planned reviews or reassessments. If a review is already due, it can still take place.

You may still be reassessed if:

• A review was already scheduled
• Your health condition changes
• There is evidence that your health or circumstances have changed significantly
• The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) need to investigate a claim

Information about the work you do may still be considered during future assessments if it is relevant to how your condition affects your daily life or ability to work.