Severe mental impairment is a term used in the law of the United Kingdom to define intellectual disability for various purposes.
The Mental Health Act 1983 used the term for the purpose of authorizing detention in hospital or guardianship.
[1] Under the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, a person can qualify for the higher rate of mobility component of Disability Living Allowance if they get the highest rate care component of the allowance and are either severely mentally impaired, display severe behavioural problems or a combination of both.
The Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 1991 further define these terms.
All four conditions must be met: In decision CDLA/1427/2017, Upper Tribunal Judge Paula Gray outlined how this test should be applied.