A Labour minister has clarified the rules over PIP qualifications as concerns grow that claimants may lose out on payments due to a particular rule. PIP (Personal Independence Payment) is aimed at providing support for the extra costs faced by people living with a long-term health condition or disability.

The system offers both daily living and mobility components, each available at standard or enhanced rates based on the impact of someone's health condition. Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst raised questions in Parliament about how people could be affected by losing access to part of the mobility component due to a 20-metre walking test used for eligibility.

He highlighted concerns regarding the "mental health and financial impact of losing entitlement". Beneficiaries receive weekly mobility payments of either £29.20 or £77.05 under this component.

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The 20-metre rule refers to the 'moving around' activity criteria, which along with another task contributes to points that calculate how much you get for the mobility element. To qualify for the standard rate, a person needs a minimum total of 8 total points across the two activities, with at least 12 needed for the enhanced rate.

In order to score any points related to 'moving around', claimants must be able to stand and move more than 50 metres but less than 200 metres, with or without support, which would earn them 4 points.

The 20-metre rule comes in with the next category, for those with further reduced mobility, who can stand and then move unaided for more than 20 metres but not exceeding 50 metres. These people are awarded 8 points, qualifying them for the lower rate.

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Those who can stand and move within the same range, but only with the assistance of an aid or appliance, are entitled to 10 points. Individuals with even greater restrictions, who can stand and move more than one metre but not more than 20 metres, either with or without aid, receive the maximum 12 points, entitling them to the upper rate.

Additionally, those who cannot stand at all or cannot move more than one metre without aid or assistance also receive 12 points. DWP minister Sir Stephen Timms replied to the question to clarify the walking distance rule.

He said: "For those with physical restrictions, the enhanced rate of the PIP mobility component is for those 'unable' or 'virtually unable' to walk. The 20 metre distance distinguishes between those whose mobility is significantly more limited than others and who face the greater barriers on a day-to-day basis, (those who have the highest need)."

The minister also said that distance is not the only factor in assessing a candidate's eligibility for the 'moving around' activity, as another consideration is what he termed 'reliability'. Mr Timms explained: "This means individuals who can walk more than 20 metres can still receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component if they cannot do so safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly or in a reasonable time.

"Whilst claimants can only reach an enhanced mobility award in activity 12 if they cannot reliably walk more than 20 metres, they may still qualify for a standard award should they satisfy another descriptor scoring a minimum of 8 points. Claimants can also reach a standard or enhanced mobility award by scoring 8, or 12 points respectively across activities 11 and 12 combined."

Should you drop from the enhanced mobility rate of £77.05 weekly, totalling £4,006.60 annually, to the standard rate of £29.20 per week, or £1,518.40 per year, your yearly loss of income would be £2,488.20. Addressing the specific question posed, Mr Timms acknowledged that the DWP hadn't evaluated the mental health consequences of PIP recipients losing their benefit due to the 20-metre rule. Attempting to justify this oversight, he said: "It would be extremely difficult to objectively separate the specific impact of this on mental health from other contributory factors."

However, the Labour Government is carrying out a review of PIP assessments, spearheaded by Mr Timms. He said: "The first phase of this work has now begun, which includes speaking to stakeholders to gather views on how best to approach the review, and the terms of reference will be published in due course."