The government has launched a new 6 week consultation(ending on 5/8/2013) about whether descriptor 2 of the PIP Mobility Component should be changed. Descriptor 2 , or the ‘moving around’ criteria, allows points to be awarded according to the ability to walk a certain distance. It is stricter than the equivalent higher rate mobility test under DLA. On a simple level, it cuts the distance walked to qualify down from up to 50 metres(sometimes more) to up to 20 metres. The government estimates that 428,000 claimants will no longer qualify for this higher rate (12 points)under current PIP rules compared to the equivalent higher rate of the Mobility Component (if DLA remained). Some of these would get the standard rate instead(8 points), worth equivalent to the lower rate of the Mobility Component of DLA. Others would not get the Mobility Component at all. At the moment the government say the higher rate via descriptor 2 is aimed at those who can perhaps manage walking from room to room in their house but not much more. Email your views
In the meantime the existing PIP law will continue to apply to new claims made, pending any changes.
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