Activity 15: Getting about
Activity 15 is defined in regulations as -
Getting about.
Activity 15 assesses the ability to travel without support from another person as a result of disorientation; or of agoraphobia causing fear of travelling unaccompanied by another person. Specified places with which a person is familiar include locations in their local area such as the GP surgery, dentist, bank, post office, local shops etc.
Note: in Autumn 2023, the Conservative Government launched a consultation on reform of the work capability assessment including proposals to remove the getting about activity or reduce the points awarded for its descriptors. In its November 2023 response to the consultation, the government confirmed that it will retain the highest scoring getting about descriptor but reduce the points awarded for the remaining descriptors, with this and other changes to the work capability assessment to be implemented for new claims for universal credit and ESA from September 2025 onwards.
Descriptors
The descriptors that relate to Activity 15 are -
- Cannot get to any place outside the claimant's home with which the claimant is familiar. 15 points
- Is unable to get to a specified place with which the claimant is familiar, without being accompanied by another person. 9 points
- Is unable to get to a specified place with which the claimant is unfamiliar without being accompanied by another person. 6 points
- None of the above applies. 0 points
Sources:
- Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 (SI.No.794/2008) and Part 2 of Schedule 2 to SR.No.280/2008 in Northern Ireland (apply to income-related and old-style contributory ESA).
- Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2013 (SI.No.379/2013) and Part 2 of Schedule 2 to SR.No.219/2016 in Northern Ireland (apply to new-style contributory ESA).
- Part 2 of Schedule 6 to the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 (SI.No.376/2013) and Part 2 of Schedule 6 to SR.No.216/2016 in Northern Ireland (apply to universal credit).
See also section 3.5.6 of the DWP’s Work Capability Assessment handbook: for healthcare professionals.
Case law
Commentary: Whilst we don't yet have any commentary in relation to the case law items below, we'd love to hear from you if you'd like to contribute. Send us a suggestion and we’d be happy to incorporate it here. | Add commentary or suggest an edit.
- Taxi driver may be accompanying claimant for the purposes of activity 15
- [2016] UKUT 96 (AAC)
- CE/3255/2015
- AB v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (ESA)
-
Specific mental illness or disability need only be ‘effective’ cause of inability to perform activity, and need not be the root or primary cause
- [2015] UKUT 646 (AAC)
- CE/1703/2015
- MC v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (ESA)
-
Descriptor 1 of Activity 15 requires investigation of whether claimant can go to a place outside the immediate vicinity of their home
- [2015] UKUT 531 (AAC)
- CSE/236/2015
- PC v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
- When is engagement in social contact ‘always precluded’
- [2013] UKUT 552 (AAC)
- CE/4125/2012
- LM v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (ESA)
-
Whether inability to get to one particular place satisfies the ‘getting about’ activity / tribunal’s duty to explore whether claimant’s ability to present case hampered by not receiving documents
- [2011] UKUT 79 (AAC)
- CE/1899/2010
- DA v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions