We call on the Government to review the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment criteria to ensure cyclical and hormone-linked conditions are fairly assessed, including within the toileting descriptor and the ‘majority of days’ rule.

In order for PIP assessment criteria to be met, difficulty must usually be present for the majority of days in a month. This can disadvantage people with severe cyclical conditions such as PMDD and endometriosis, which may cause significant impairment for 10–14 days each month. Although symptoms for such conditions fluctuate, they can represent recurring and substantial disability over many years. In our view, few workplaces can accommodate predictable monthly impairment, often leading to reduced hours or loss of employment.