The Decision Maker's Guide and the Mobility Component

Mobility component - conditions of entitlement.

Introduction

There are two rates of mobility component, higher and lower, which cover different needs and circumstances. The higher rate of the mobility component of DLA is for people aged three years and over (five years or over for any period before 09.04.01), and who are so severely disabled that they satisfy one of the higher rate mobility criteria (see DMG 61255), or aged 5 years or over and satisfy the lower rate mobility criteria (see DMG 61256). The person does not have to meet the above criteria on any particular day or a specific number of days each week and a broad view should be given to this issue. The residence and presence conditions in DMG Chapter 7 must also be satisfied.

Higher rate

61255

The higher rate is payable to people who

1. are unable or virtually unable to walk because of a physical disability (see DMG 61276 et seq) or
2. are both deaf and blind2 and satisfy the conditions in DMG 61335 - 613373 or
3. are severely mentally impaired and display severe behavioural problems and satisfy the conditions for the highest rate care component at DMG 610616 (see DMG 61350 - 61380) or
4. have had both legs amputated either through or above the ankle (see DMG 61330) or
5. are for any reason without both legs to the same extent as if they had been amputated either through or above the ankle (see DMG 61330 - 61331).

Note: The higher rate is payable only where during most of the period of any award, the condition allows the person from time to time to benefit from enhanced facilities for locomotion (see DMG 61413 - 61414).

Lower rate

61256

The lower rate is payable to people who can walk but are so severely disabled mentally or physically (see DMG 61207 et seq) that they need guidance or supervision from another person most of the time when walking out of doors (see DMG 61391 et seq). Disregarding any ability the person has to use routes which are familiar to them.

61257

During most of the period of any award their condition must allow them from time to time to benefit from enhanced facilities for locomotion (see DMG 61413 - 61414).

61258

The conditions for the lower rate are quite different to those for the higher rate. They relate to the needs people have to enable them to walk out of doors, rather than their inability to walk.

61259

If a person has satisfied the disability conditions at the lower rate for three months, and then begins to satisfy one of the conditions for the higher rate, only the lower rate is payable until the conditions for the higher rate have been satisfied for three months.

61271

There are special provisions for people who

1. have a terminal illness1 (see DMG 61491 et seq)
2. are under age 16 (see DMG 61520 et seq)
3. have the use of an invalid carriage or other vehicle provided by the Secretary of State or who have the use of a prescribed appliance (see DMG 61423 et seq).

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