Government Unswerving On Disability Rules

Following a public consultation addressing a central element of disability benefit, the government says it will not change its decision on qualifying mobility distances.

Brain Injury charity, Headway UK and others have expressed their disapproval and criticism of the lack of change.

In order to qualify for a new enhanced part of disability benefit (PIP – Personal Independence Plan), disabled people must be able to move reliably and safely up to a 20-metre distance. Campaigners against it say this distance should be increased to 50 metres.

Brain Injury Charity Disagrees With The Current Threshold

Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway, says the charity is disappointed that the government has not listened to Headway’s views, despite the nature of the organisation which works with disabled people every day and supports them in playing an active role in the community.

Mr McCabe says: “Throughout the development of the benefit, a distance of 50 metres was used to assess a person’s mobility,” he continued; “However, the government reduced this to just 20 metres as the benefit was launched.”

”We are extremely concerned that the reduction to a 20-metre threshold will remove schemes such as Motability, the blue parking badge and other passported benefits from people who the DWP recognises have effectively no independence out of their home.”

The government says that the benefit is still under review while it is being introduced and will maintain the 20-metre threshold. It says that the distance is not the sole factor in measuring people’s mobility and that the frequency in which people are able to move around reliably will also be assessed.

What is PIP?

PIP stands for Personal Independence Place and is an enhanced part of Disability Living Allowance. The measurements within it are key to determining whether or not you will qualify for other enhanced benefits like a Motability car.

Living With A Brain Injury

The effects of living with a brain injury are diverse. The impact of an injury like this, to you or a member of your family, could mean that you have had to have your home adapted; you may have had to organise 24 hour care and you may need help with other aspects of your life that allow you to have as full a life as possible.

Claiming Compensation For A Brain Injury

If the brain injury that you or your relative suffered, was not your fault then you may also be able to make a brain injury compensation claim. If you would like more details on claiming for a brain injury then please get in touch with us on 0333 358 3034.

Published on 13th February 2015.