Do the 'getting about' descriptors apply for the majority of the time?

Rumbler303

Hello there,

I'm just curious for the sake of it, but how do the 'getting about' descriptors work? If, for the majority of the time, you need someone to accompany you to a familiar or unfamiliar place but say on the odd occasion you could go on your own, would you still get it?

On page 137, it says this: The highest descriptor (GAa) represents a complete inability to leave the home environment, while GAc may represent a person who has been unable to travel to any new locations unaccompanied for a significant period of time — to me, this means that if, for the majority of the time, you need someone, but on some occasions you don't, you'll still get it.

For (a) though, they do give some leeway for going out of the house in short distances like putting the bins out:

https://administrativeappeals.decisions.tribunals.gov.uk/Aspx/view.aspx?id=4655

Can anyone advise on this one? Thanks.

Albus_Scope

Heya @Rumbler303 as with all the descriptors, it's what you can or can't do the majority of the time. So if you can't go anywhere alone 51% of the time, then you're seen as being unable to do that specific thing. So for instance, if I need someone with me most of the time, but once a week I can go to the shop by myself, then I'd be seen as being unable to do it.

Hopefully that makes sense?

Rumbler303

Hello @Albus_Scope thanks for your reply, right so you could still effectively qualify for (a) if for 51% of the time, you need someone with you?

Albus_Scope

That is correct. It's all about what you cant do, for the majority of the time.

Rumbler303

Thank you.

Albus_Scope

Oh apologies, no, you'd not qualify for A but you may get C the leeway for A wouldn't be that lenient! I'd totally misread that, my apologies!

Rumbler303

@Albus_Scope how do you qualify for A then?

Albus_Scope

Ultimately it'll be up to the decision maker as to how they will award points, but just be honest with your answers. 😊