The Social Security (Incapacity for Work) (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995

Regulations 6(1)(b), 24

SCHEDULE Disabilities which may make a person incapable of work

PART I PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

(1)	(2)	(3)
Activity	Descriptor	Points
1.  Walking on level ground with a walking stick or other aid if such aid is normally used.	1.—(a) Cannot walk at all.	15
	(b) Cannot walk more than a few steps without stopping or severe discomfort.	15
	(c) Cannot walk more than 50 metres without stopping or severe discomfort.	15
	(d) Cannot walk more than 200 metres without stopping or severe discomfort.	7
	(e) Cannot walk more than 400 metres without stopping or severe discomfort.	3
	(f) Cannot walk more than 800 metres without stopping or severe discomfort.	0
	(g) No walking problem.	0
2.  Walking up and down stairs.	2.—(a) Cannot walk up and down one stair.	15
	(b) Cannot walk up and down a flight of 12stairs.	15
	(c) Cannot walk up and down a flight of 12 stairs without holding on and taking a rest.	7
	(d) Cannot walk up and down a flight of 12 stairs without holding on.	3
	(e) Can only walk up and down a flight of 12 stairs if he goes sideways or one step at a time.	3
	(f) No problem in walking up and down stairs.	0
3.  Sitting in an upright chair with a back, but no arms.	3.—(a) Cannot sit comfortably.	15
	(b) Cannot sit comfortably for more than IO minutes without having to move from the chair.	15
	(c) Cannot sit comfortably for more than 30 minutes without having to move from the chair.	7
	(d) Cannot sit comfortably for more than 1 hour without having to move from the chair.	3
	(e) Cannot sit comfortably for more than 2 hours without having to move from the chair.	0
	(f) No problem with sitting.	0
4.  Standing without the support of another person or the use of an aid except a walking stick.	4.—(a) Cannot stand unassisted.	15
	(b) Cannot stand for more than a minute before needing to sit down.	15
	(c) Cannot stand for more than IO minutes before needing to sit down.	15
	(d) Cannot stand for more than 30 minutes before needing to sit down.	7
	(e) Cannot stand for more than IO minutes before needing to move around.	7
	(f) Cannot stand for more than 30 minutes before needing to move around.	3
	(g) No problem standing.	0
5.  Rising from sitting in an upright chair with a back but no arms without the help of another person.	5.—(a) Cannot rise from sitting to standing.	15
	(b) Cannot rise from sitting to standing without holding on to something.	7
	(c) Sometimes cannot rise from sitting to standing without holding on to something.	3
	(d) No problem with rising from sitting to standing.	0
6.  Bending and kneeling.	6.—(a) Cannot bend to touch his knees and straighten up again.	15
	(b) Cannot bend or kneel as if to pick up a piece of paper from the floor and straighten up again.	15
	(c) Sometimes cannot bend or kneel as if to pick up a piece of paper from the floor and straighten up again.	3
	(d) No problem with bending and kneeling.	0
7.  Manual dexterity.	7.—(a) Cannot turn the pages of a book with either hand.	15
	(b) Cannot turn a tap or control knobs on a cooker with either hand.	15
	(c) Cannot pick up a coin which is 2.5 centimetres or less in diameter with either hand.	15
	(d) Cannot use a pen or pencil.	15
	(e) Cannot tie a bow in laces or string.	10
	(f) Cannot turn a tap or control knobs on a cooker with one hand.	6
	(g) Cannot pick up a coin which is 2.5 centimetres or less in diameter with one hand.	6
	(h) No problem with manual dexterity.	0
8.  Lifting and carrying.	8.—(a) Cannot pick up a paperback book with either hand.	15
	(b) Cannot pick up and carry a 0. 5 litre carton of milk with either hand.	15
	(c) Cannot pick up and pour from a full saucepan or kettle of 1.7 litre capacity with either hand.	15
	(d) Cannot pick up and carry a 2.5 kilogramme bag of potatoes with either hand.	8
	(e) Cannot pick up and carry a 0. 5 litre carton of milk with one hand.	6
	(f) Cannot pick up and carry a 2.5 kilogramme bag of potatoes with one hand.	0
	(g) No problem with lifting and carrying.	0
9.  Reaching.	9.—(a) Cannot raise either arm to put something in the top pocket of a coat or jacket.	15
	(b) Cannot raise either arm to his head to put on a hat.	15
	(c) Cannot put either arm behind his back to put on a coat or jacket.	15
	(d) Cannot raise either arm above his head to reach for something.	15
	(e) Cannot raise one arm to his head to put on a hat.	6
	(f) Cannot raise one arm above his head to reach for something.	0
	(g) No problem with reaching.	0
10.  Speech.	10.—(a) Cannot speak.	15
	(b) Speech cannot be understood by family or friends.	15
	(c) Speech cannot be understood by strangers.	15
	(d) Strangers have great difficulty understanding speech.	10
	(e) Strangers have some difficulty understanding speech.	8
	(f) No problem with speech.	0
11.  Hearing with a hearing aid or other aid if normally worn.	11.—(a) Cannot hear sounds at all.	15
	(b) Cannot hear well enough to follow a television programme with the volume turned up.	15
	(c) Cannot hear well enough to understand someone, talking in a loud voice in a quiet room.	15
	(d) Cannot hear well enough to understand someone talking in a normal voice in a quiet room.	10
	(e) Cannot hear well enough to understand someone talking in a normal voice on a busy street.	8
	(f) No problem with hearing.	0
12.  Vision in normal daylight or bright electric light with glasses or other aid to vision if such aid is normally worn.	12.—(a) Cannot tell light from dark.	15
	(b) Cannot see the shape of furniture in the room.	15
	(c) Cannot see well enough to read 16 point print at a distance greater than 20 centimetres.	15
	(d) Cannot see well enough to recognise a friend across the room.	12
	(e) Cannot see well enough to recognise a friend across the road.	8
	(f) No problem with vision.	0
13.  Continence.	13.—(a) No voluntary control over bowels.	15
	(b) No voluntary control over bladder.	15
	(c) Loses control of bowels at least once a week.	15
	(d) Loses control of bowels at least once a month.	15
	(e) Loses control of bowels occasionally.	9
	(f) Loses control of bladder at least once a month.	3
	(g) Loses control of bladder occasionally.	0
	(h) No problem with continence.	0
14.  Remaining conscious other than for normal periods of sleep.	14.—(a) Has an involuntary episode of lost or altered consciousness at least once a day.	15
	(b) Has an involuntary episode of lost or altered consciousness at least once a week.	15
	(c) Has an involuntary episode of lost or altered consciousness at least once a month.	15
	(d) Has had an involuntary episode of lost or altered consciousness at least twice in the 6 months before the day in respect of which it falls to be determined whether he is incapable of work for the purposes of entitlement to any benefit, allowance or advantage.	12
	(e) Has had an involuntary episode of lost or altered consciousness once in the 6 months before the day in respect of which it falls to be determined whether he is incapable of work for the purposes of entitlement to any benefit, allowance or advantage.	8
	(f) Has had an involuntary episode of lost or altered consciousness once in the 3 years before the day in respect of which it falls to be determined whether he is incapable of work for the purposes of entitlement to any benefit, allowance or advantage.	0
	(g) No problem with consciousness.	0

PART II MENTAL DISABILITIES

(1)	(2)	(3)
Activity	Descriptor	Points
15.  Completion of tasks	15.—(a) Cannot answer the telephone and reliably take a message.	2
	(b) Often sits for hours doing nothing .	2
	(c) Cannot concentrate to read a magazine article or follow a radio programme.	1
	(d) Cannot use a telephone book or other directory to find a number.	1
	(e) Mental condition prevents him from undertaking leisure activities previously enjoyed.	1
	(f) Overlooks or forgets the risk posed by domestic appliances or other common hazards due to poor concentration	1
	(g) Agitation, confusion or forgetfulness has resulted in mishaps or accidents in the 3 months before the day in respect of which it falls to be determined whether he is incapable of work for the purposes of entitlement to any benefit, allowance or advantage	1
	(h) Concentration can only be sustained by prompting.	1
16.  Daily living.	16.—(a) Needs encouragement to get up and dress.	2
	(b) Needs alcohol before midday.	2
	(c) Is frequently distressed at some time of the day due to fluctuation of mood.	1
	(d) Does not care about his appearance and living conditions.	1
	(e) Sleep problems interfere with his daytime activities.	1
17.  Coping with pressure.	17.—(a) Mental stress was a factor in making him stop work.	2
	(b) Frequently feels scared or panicky for no obvious reason.	2
	(c) Avoids carrying out routine activities because he is convinced they will prove too tiring or stressful.	1
	(d) Is unable to cope with changes in daily routine.	1
	(e) Frequently finds there are so many things to do that he gives up because of fatigue, apathy or disinterest.	1
	(f) Is scared or anxious that work would bring back or worsen his illness.	1
18.  Interaction with other people.	18.—(a) Cannot look after himself without help from others.	2
	(b) Gets upset by ordinary events and it results in disruptive behavioural problems.	2
	(c) Mental problems impair ability to communicate with other people.	1
	(d) Gets irritated by things that would not have bothered him before he became ill.	1
	(e) Prefers to be left alone for 6 hours or more each day.	1
	(f) Is too frightened to go out alone.	1