PIP Activity 12: Moving Around - Complete Scoring Guide

Activity 12 is the most important mobility activity. It assesses how far you can stand and then move using any aid you normally use. This is PIP2 Question 14. The critical distances are 20 metres (enhanced rate), 50 metres (standard rate), and 200 metres (may not qualify). This activity alone determines most PIP mobility awards.

The Descriptors and Points

a. Can stand and then move more than 200 metres unaided or aided - 0 points.

b. Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres unaided or aided - 4 points.

c. Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres using an aid or appliance - 4 points. With a walking stick, crutch, or wheelchair.

d. Can stand and then move more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres unaided or aided - 8 points. Standard mobility rate.

e. Can stand and then move more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres using an aid or appliance - 10 points.

f. Can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres unaided or aided - 12 points. Enhanced mobility rate. Qualifies for Motability.

g. Cannot stand or move more than 1 metre aided or unaided - 12 points.

How Distance Is Measured

The distance is how far you can walk RELIABLY - safely, repeatedly, to an acceptable standard, and in a reasonable time. Your maximum distance on your best day after taking painkillers and resting for an hour is NOT the right answer. The right answer is: how far can you walk on MOST days, at a normal pace, without causing yourself significant pain, exhaustion, or risk?

The Reliability Criteria Are Critical

Safely: If walking 100 metres means you are at risk of falling, your safe distance is less than 100 metres.

Repeatedly: If you can walk 50 metres to the shop but cannot walk 50 metres back, your reliable distance is less than 50 metres.

Reasonable time: If walking 50 metres takes you 5 minutes with stops, your effective distance is less than 50 metres at a reasonable pace.

Acceptable standard: If walking 50 metres leaves you in severe pain for the rest of the day, the standard is not acceptable.

20 Metres — What Does It Look Like?

20 metres is approximately the length of two double-decker buses parked end to end, or the width of a tennis court. It is from your front door to the car. If you cannot reliably walk this far, you qualify for enhanced mobility (12 points, £75.75/week, Motability access).

Conditions That Score Here

Arthritis (pain limiting distance), MS (fatigue and weakness), COPD (breathlessness), heart conditions, chronic pain, spinal conditions, fibromyalgia (pain and fatigue), EDS (joint instability), amputation, stroke (weakness), Parkinson's (freezing, shuffling), neuropathy (numbness, falls risk).