You will need to show that, as a result of a physical disability, you are unable to walk very far without experiencing severe discomfort. The DWP have to take a number of factors into account when deciding whether or not you meet this criteria. When you apply you need to give as much detail about how your disability affects your ability to walk. This question does not apply to people with mental disabilities, your inability to walk very far must stem from a physical condition.
The Decision Makers' Guide states that "Virtually unable to walk means unable to walk to any appreciable extent or practically unable to walk. The base point is a total inability to walk. It is extended to take in people who can technically walk but only to an insignificant extent." There continues to be much argument about how much is to be considered "insignificant".
Discomfort can mean either pain or breathlessness. Extreme fatigue and stress may also may be taken into account. It has been accepted that discomfort is subjective and that some people have higher pain thresholds than others.
The discomfort must arise from the act of walking outside and not to other factors.
Unless both your legs are missing then you will need to show that you experience severe discomfort even when using your artificial aid
When deciding whether you are virtually unable to walk the following factors will be taken into account-
The distance over which you can walk without experiencing severe discomfort
The speed at which you can walk
The length of time for which you can walk
The manner in which you can walk
This question is about walking out of doors, not in your home.
If you can only walk up to 30 yards without severe discomfort then you will qualify.
If you can only walk between 30 and 70 yards without severe discomfort then it is likely that you will qualify.
If you can walk more than seventy yards without severe discomfort then you will need to show that the other three factors mean that you are virtually unable to walk. For example, if you can show that it takes you five minutes to walk 100 metres, you should qualify.
It does not matter whether the severe discomfort occurs at the time of your walk or later. What counts is that the discomfort is a direct result of your attempt to walk.
Where you live or whether or not you work is not taken into account.
