Full list of people with disabilities who qualify automatically for Motability car
People who have problems with their mobility can find it pricey getting around. Whether using their own vehicle or relying on taxis the total can quickly escalate.
But there is help available through a scheme which operates to help people with disabilities who have mobility issues. The Motability Scheme helps people lease a car, a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, a powered wheelchair, or a scooter to make it easier for them to get around.
The Scheme is available to people across the United Kingdom and some groups of people will automatically qualify for a vehicle. It is important for people to know this is not a "free car" but instead those who take up the offer will enchange some or all of their enhanced mobility award from a qualifying disability benefit such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
- Drivers warned about change coming in from Sunday
- New Chinese model in UK 'cheaper than Kia with more equipment'
Latest figures show around 815,000 people are using the Scheme. Citizens Advice has set out who qualifies and how to apply. Their advice applied to people in England with different rules elsewhere in the UK.
They said: "If you receive a benefit because you have a disability or illness that makes it hard for you to get around, you can use it to pay for a vehicle from a charity called Motability. You can choose from lots of different vehicles, for example cars, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs.
"You’ll only be paying for the lease of the vehicle - it won’t belong to you. If you stop receiving your benefit, you’ll have to return it."
Who qualifies?There are six groups of people who automatically qualify for the scheme. These are those on:
the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
the higher rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment
the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment
However it adds: "When you apply for a Motability vehicle, you must have at least 12 months left before your benefit ends - check your benefit decision letter if you’re not sure. You can’t apply for a Motability vehicle if you’re getting DLA and the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) has sent you a letter saying you need to apply for PIP. You won’t be affected if you already have a Motability vehicle.
"If you don’t drive, you can still get a Motability vehicle and choose someone else to drive it. You can choose up to two people to drive on your behalf."
How does the scheme work?Those who are eligible can use some or all of their mobility componant to pay for a vehicle from a charity called Motability. There are a number of different vehicles to choose from ranging from cars to mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs.
Anyone using the scheme pays for the lease of the vehicle which means it does not belong to them. When the benefit stops it must be returned.
The claimant's benefit goes directly to the Motability Scheme every month which pays for the lease. The amount of benefit that goes towards the vehicle depends on which one they select.
People might need to make a payment up front if they choose a more expensive vehicle. Some help might be available with this depending on individual circumstances. You can find additional information on this by visiting the Motability website.
In addition to your vehicle, you will also get:
insurance, including tyre and windscreen replacement cover
breakdown cover
vehicle tax
servicing and maintenance
adaptations if needed - find out about the ways you can adapt your vehicle
The Motability Scheme will not affect your benefits as it is not means-tested. This means it is not affected by your income, savings, or other financial circumstances.