Child Disability Payment decision making guide

Eligibility criteria for the higher rate mobility component

An individual must be at least three years old to qualify for the higher rate of the mobility component (COP regs, reg.13(1)).

An individual applying for CDP can qualify for the higher rate of the mobility component if taking account of their physical condition as a whole, but ignoring the nature of the place where the individual lives they (COP regs, reg.13(2)):

  • are unable to walk (COP regs, reg.13(2))
  • are virtually unable to walk outdoors (COP regs, reg.13(2)(a)(ii))
  • would experience a serious deterioration in their health from the exertion required to walk (COP regs, reg. 13(2)(a)(iii))

An individual applying for CDP who meets any one of the following criteria can qualify for the higher rate of the mobility component if they:

  • have no legs or no feet (COP regs, reg.13(2)(b))
  • have a severe visual disability (COP regs. reg. 13(2)(c))
  • are both blind and deaf (COP regs. reg.13(2)(d))
  • have a severe mental disability with severe behavioural difficulties and qualify for the highest rate of the care component

An individual who does not qualify for the higher rate mobility component will not necessarily qualify for the lower rate. The eligibility criteria for the lower rate mobility component considers whether an individual requires supervision when walking outdoors.

An individual applying for CDP who is at least three years old and is terminally ill qualifies for the higher rate mobility component of CDP (COP regs, reg. lS(l)(b)). They do not have to fulfil the criteria listed above.

More information in the Special Rules for Terminal Illness chapter.

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