PIP - Question criteria is vague?

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Hello all,

I have an upcoming PIP assessment and am currently looking at the scoring criteria and I find some of the terms a bit vague, especially on the mobility.

For example: d. Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid. 10 points.

Would a GPS count as an orientation aid? What would count as an unfamiliar journey?

Does anyone else find the criteria vague also? Or is this done intentionally?

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  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 17,963 Forumite
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    bradgshea wrote: »
    Hello all,

    I have an upcoming PIP assessment and am currently looking at the scoring criteria and I find some of the terms a bit vague, especially on the mobility.

    For example: d. Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid. 10 points.

    Would a GPS count as an orientation aid? What would count as an unfamiliar journey?

    Does anyone else find the criteria vague also? Or is this done intentionally?
    A GPS doesn't count as an aid for PIP descriptors. This is because lots of people use these in everyday life. An orientation aid is something like a cane that a blind person would use.

    An unfamiliar journey is where you wouldn't go alone because you're not familiar with it. This guide may help you with all the descriptors and what they mean. It's part 2 that applies here.
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers
  • Alice_Holt
    Alice_Holt Posts: 5,950 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    edited 17 April 2018 at 6:29PM
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    Also the activity looks at your ability to make an unfamiliar journey by public transport.

    The assessment guide poppy linked to states "Orientation aids are specialist aids. Ordinary satellite navigation systems such as those found in mobile phones do not count as specialist. Maps or lists of directions do not count as specialist. ......"

    The descriptors in the guide are now out of date following the court ruling that including the phrase "excluding psychological distress" was discriminatory.
    Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.
  • tyler2027
    tyler2027 Posts: 67 Forumite
    edited 17 April 2018 at 7:34PM
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    Hi,

    May I clarify a couple of points........

    - although the activity refers to the ability to use public transport, it is not underpinned by law. Within the assessors guide what is not law is down to guidance which the DWP can use or not. And it appears "not" is the more likely response.

    https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum1?view=topic&catid=10&id=122009&start=6#210404

    https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum1?view=topic&catid=10&id=120361#204436

    - technically the guide descriptors are out of date following the ruling ...but the DWP are abiding by this version poppy has posted as being the current one they are following....pending "new" guidance being published. Which will of course then be exactly like it was before......they don't even need to do "new" assessment guide, they could just bring the previous version back into play(bangs head on wall)

    post 33
    https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/12365/P30/

    https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/3744-dwp-advise-failed-pip-claimants-to-try-again-but-admit-they-will-still-unlawfully-turn-them-down


    Ty
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