Pip query regarding Mobility question 1. Journey

Caution! There have been a number of other changes to guidance issued to health professionals in relation to this activity.

The effect of these alterations appears to be to instruct health professionals that claimants who
need accompanying by another person when following the route of a journey, because of a mental health condition, are covered solely by descriptor 11 (b) and should only score 4 points.

Instructions are given in the Assessment Guide in relation to 11 (c), (d) and (f) that: ‘This descriptor is unlikely to apply to mental or behavioural disorders for example anxiety.’

Guidance issued in May 2014 also stated that 11 (b) does not apply where the claimant needs ‘simply encouragement when leaving the home’. This has been removed from the most recent guidance, but may still be the DWP’s position on this issue.

Guidance issued in July 2015 states that 11 (d) is most likely to apply to claimants with cognitive, sensory or developmental impairments who cannot, due to their impairment, work out where to go, follow directions or deal with unexpected changes in their journey when it is unfamiliar. There are several conflicting Upper Tribunal decisions on this descriptor and we may have to wait for a tribunal of upper tribunal judges to make a final ruling.

For now, we would recommend that you add all the reasons why you have difficulties following a
route or going out alone, including if they stem from mental health issues.

We think much of this guidance is wrong. At this stage all you can do is give as much detail as you can in your claim pack and at any medical about the difficulties you have and the help you need.