PIP - Personal Independence Payment Mobility Component Activities Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A claimant can walk using a walking stick, but can only cover a distance of 40 metres before needing to stop due to severe pain and breathlessness. This effort means they cannot repeat the walk for several hours. Which descriptor for the 'Moving Around' activity is most likely to apply?
- Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided.
- Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. (Correct answer)
- Can stand and then move more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres.
- Can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided.
Correct answer: Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres.
The claimant can move between 20 and 50 metres and requires an aid (a walking stick). Therefore, the 10-point descriptor 'Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres' is the most appropriate. The inability to repeat the activity in a timely manner is a key factor in this assessment.
Question 2: To receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP, what is the minimum total points a claimant must score from the two mobility activities?
- 8
- 10
- 12 (Correct answer)
- 15
Correct answer: 12
A claimant needs to score a minimum of 12 points across the two mobility activities ('Planning and following journeys' and 'Moving around') to be awarded the enhanced rate. A score of 8 to 11 points qualifies for the standard rate.
Question 3: Which of the following scenarios would most likely score 10 points under the 'Planning and following journeys' mobility activity?
- A claimant needs another person to prompt them to undertake a familiar journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress.
- A claimant cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, an assistance dog, or an orientation aid. (Correct answer)
- A claimant can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided on most days.
- A claimant cannot plan the route of any journey at all.
Correct answer: A claimant cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, an assistance dog, or an orientation aid.
The descriptor 'Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid' awards 10 points. Needing prompting for any journey due to psychological distress scores 4 points, and being unable to plan a route scores 8 points.
Question 4: An assessor is considering a claimant's ability to complete a mobility activity 'reliably'. What does 'reliably' mean in the context of the PIP assessment?
- The claimant can complete the activity at least once a day.
- The claimant can complete the activity without any help from another person.
- The claimant can complete the activity quickly and efficiently.
- The claimant can complete the activity safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and in a timely manner. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The claimant can complete the activity safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and in a timely manner.
For a descriptor to apply, the claimant must be able to complete the activity reliably. This means they must be able to do so safely, to an acceptable standard, as often as reasonably required (repeatedly), and in a reasonable time period (in a timely manner).
Question 5: A claimant has severe agoraphobia and cannot leave their home to undertake any journey, even with support, because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress. Which point value would be awarded for the 'Planning and following journeys' activity?
- 4 points
- 8 points
- 12 points
- 10 points (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 10 points
The descriptor 'Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant' is awarded 10 points. While there is a 12-point descriptor for this activity, it relates to the inability to follow a *familiar* route without assistance.
Question 6: The two activities assessed under the PIP Mobility component are:
- Getting around outdoors and using public transport.
- Moving around and Engaging with other people face to face.
- Planning and following journeys and Moving around. (Correct answer)
- Driving a vehicle and Managing toilet needs away from home.
Correct answer: Planning and following journeys and Moving around.
The Personal Independence Payment mobility component is assessed based on two specific activities: 'Planning and following journeys' and 'Moving around'.
PIP - Personal Independence Payment Mobility Component Activities Questions and Answers
A claimant can walk using a walking stick, but can only cover a distance of 40 metres before needing to stop due to severe pain and breathlessness.
This effort means they cannot repeat the walk for several hours.
Which descriptor for the 'Moving Around' activity is most likely to apply?