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Written question asked by Alan Brown (Scottish National Party) on Friday, 29 April 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 May 2016 (named day). It was answered by Justin Tomlinson (Conservative) on Thursday, 5 May 2016 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Motability

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of 23 February 2016, Official Report, column 82WH, on the Motability car scheme, whether the ability to walk 20 metres is one of the assessment criteria for enhanced mobility.

Answer

As with all the activities, a claimant should be assessed as satisfying a descriptor only if the reliability criteria have been fully considered. The reliability criteria are a key protection for claimants being assessed for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and are a new introduction that did not apply under Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Claimants who cannot walk 20 metres reliably are guaranteed to receive the enhanced rate mobility component.

PIP has also introduced a new criteria around the ability to plan and follow a journey, which is designed to recognise the mobility challenges of non-physical conditions and ensure these claimants also have access to the highest level of support where appropriate.

Further information on how the reliability criteria should be applied can be found in the PIP Assessment Guide for Health Professionals carrying out assessments.

This guidance can be accessed on the gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/449043/pip-assessment-guide.pdf

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
36131
Session
2015-16
Subjects
Motability Personal independence payment
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk