PIP - what counts as a familiar journey?

Calfuray

Hi all.

I've been reading up and researching everything to do with PIP so that we can fill these forms in properly, but there is one thing I haven't been able to find, no matter how much I've searched.

Does anyone know the definition of a "familiar journey"? Are we talking walking to the local shops 3 minutes away? Or taking the bus to work? Does it involve taking public transport, or not?

If anyone knows, or has any experience from filling our their forms, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Cal

marliepanda

I would say both of those are familiar. You know where you are going

Alice_Holt

Yes, it does involve using public transport.
Useful discussion here:
https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/9906

PIP assessment guide:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/665635/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-assessment-criteria.pdf
(note that descriptors 11 c & d have not been updated re psychological distress)
Current version here - https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

Familiar / unfamiliar can be taken as it is used in normal usage. i.e known to you.

LocoLoco

Hi, I took it as meaning known to us; I've recently filled in the forms on my son's behalf. There are some journeys we do regularly, different lengths and ways of getting to the destination but we get there by the same method each time and are going to the same place so I worked on the basis of those being familiar, with unfamiliar being places we don't go to very often or have never been to before. Equally I included journeys changing unexpectedly as unfamiliar (ie, if the bus is cancelled and you have to get the train instead or vice versa).

Alice_Holt

LocoLoco wrote: »

Equally I included journeys changing unexpectedly as unfamiliar (ie, if the bus is cancelled and you have to get the train instead or vice versa).

If this happens on regular routes then I would count this as a familiar journey rather than unfamiliar.. If your son is unable to cope with such events on a journey he knows well, then I would be putting the case for this descriptor:
1f. Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid. 12 points.
And an Enhanced Mobility award. With 1d as a backstop.

Remember that reliability, safely, and to an acceptable standard come into play:
Including - "Getting into an unsafe situation as a result of getting lost due to a health condition or impairment and being unable to resolve being lost.". From the PIP assessment guide.

Calfuray

Thank you all so much, this has been really helpful. The answer for us completely differs depending on if public transport could reasonably be included in the consideration. Still issues with walking to familiar places, but with public transport included I don't think they can possibly say we don't meet 11f.

Thanks again!
Cal

LocoLoco

Alice_Holt wrote: »

If this happens on regular routes then I would count this as a familiar journey rather than unfamiliar.. If your son is unable to cope with such events on a journey he knows well, then I would be putting the case for this descriptor:
1f. Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid. 12 points.
And an Enhanced Mobility award. With 1d as a backstop.

Remember that reliability, safely, and to an acceptable standard come into play:
Including - "Getting into an unsafe situation as a result of getting lost due to a health condition or impairment and being unable to resolve being lost.". From the PIP assessment guide.

That's really helpful, Alice, thank you x