PIP › Mobility descriptors
PIP Mobility Descriptors: Both Activities Explained
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The 2 PIP mobility activities explained
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The mobility component of PIP is scored across just 2 activities, entirely separately from the 10 daily living activities. DWP applies whichever single descriptor scores the most points for you on each activity. See current PIP rates for what these point totals are worth.
8 or more points overall across these 2 activities gets the standard rate of the mobility component; 12 points gets the enhanced rate.
1. Planning and following journeys
Whether you can plan the route of a journey and follow it, unaided, including due to anxiety, cognitive difficulties, or unfamiliar environments — not about physical distance.
- 0 points — Can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided.
- 4 points — Cannot plan the route of a journey without another person, an assistance dog, or an orientation aid.
- 10 points — Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog, or an orientation aid.
- 10 points — Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, an assistance dog, or an orientation aid, AND cannot plan the route of a familiar journey unaided due to overwhelming psychological distress.
- 12 points — Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant.
2. Moving around
How far you can physically move, safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and within a reasonable time, with or without an aid such as a stick, crutches or a wheelchair.
- 0 points — Can stand and then move more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided.
- 4 points — Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided.
- 8 points — Can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres.
- 10 points — Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres.
- 12 points — Can stand and then move no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the two mobility activities?
"Moving around" is almost entirely about physical walking distance. "Planning and following journeys" is not about distance at all — it can score points for anxiety, cognitive difficulties, or unfamiliarity that stop someone travelling independently, even if they can physically walk without difficulty.
Can I score points on mobility for a mental health condition?
Yes. "Planning and following journeys" frequently scores points for conditions like severe anxiety, autism, or psychosis, where overwhelming psychological distress prevents independent travel — this has nothing to do with physical walking ability.
Does using a walking aid still count towards the higher-scoring bands?
Yes. The distances for "moving around" are assessed both aided and unaided, and needing an aid or appliance to reach a given distance can itself move you into a higher-scoring band than reaching that distance unaided.
How does mobility relate to the Motability scheme?
The enhanced rate of the mobility component (12 points) is generally the route into the Motability car, scooter or powered wheelchair scheme, though Motability eligibility rules are set separately from PIP itself.
See the daily living side of PIP, or how the assessment gathers this information:
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