Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what criteria his Department uses to assess claimants for the enhanced rate mobility component of personal independence payments; and what the differences are between those criteria and the criteria previously used to assess claimants for the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance.

Please find attached link to the Personal Independent Payment assessment guide - www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is aimed primarily at individuals with a physical health condition. Under DLA higher rate mobility was for those unable or virtually unable to walk by reference to whether their ability to walk is limited by the distance, the speed or the time they can walk without severe discomfort or which would constitute a danger to their life or lead to a deterioration in their health.

The higher rate of DLA is also available to double amputees, those who are either deaf and blind or who are severely visually impaired (as defined) and to severely mentally impaired people who have severe behavioural problems and are also entitled to the highest rate of the care component.

26% of recipients are receiving a combination of highest rates, compared to 15% on DLA.