Those entitled to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) used to receive a Motability allowance. But following DLA changing to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), eligibility changed, and many were declined this funding. This meant that they had to appeal in order to receive their benefits once more. According to Muscular Dystrophy UK, 45% of all case reassessments resulted in losing their eligibility. However, you may still be entitled to receiving the allowance. In this article, we look at what makes you eligible for the Motability scheme.
What is Motability?
The Motability scheme is a government funded scheme which allows motorists who have a disability to exchange their mobility allowance for a brand-new vehicle from a Motability dealer,. This often is able to change every three years, but some vehicles require an initial deposit from the disabled motorists. Others, however, can be ordered with no advance payment.
The scheme aims to provide disabled people with an ability to maintain the independence and freedom that comes with owning a vehicle that suits your needs. Vehicles can be adapted to conditions and can become wheelchair accessible, among other capabilities. Your mobility allowance helps to cover the running costs of a vehicle, excluding fuel costs. Usually, each Motability lease includes insurance, breakdown assistance, servicing, and maintenance, as well as the monthly costs of the vehicle.
So, what makes you eligible for this allowance? Here are the allowances that would make you eligible:
What is Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?
You can receive PIP if you are aged between 16 and 64 and have a daily living and/or mobility need that requires additional help due to an illness, disability, or mental health condition. The decision of how much PIP you’ll receive comes from the DWP and it is made up of two components called daily living and mobility.
As of April 2019, the PIP rates were as follows:
- Daily living – standard rate: £58.70
- Daily living – enhanced rate: £87.65
- Mobility – standard rate – £23.20
- Mobility – enhanced rate – £61.20
What is War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)?
As of 10 April 2019, those entitled to WPMS receive £68.35 each week. This payment helps to provide financial support to any war veterans who were seriously injured in service. It helps to cover costs that may have been incurred due to their injury. From 1 April 2015, it was automatically given to single lower limb amputees with 40 per cent War Disablement Pension or more. It’s paid as an alternative to PIP Mobility. Therefore, any PIP payments would stop if WPMS was awarded due to the same disablement.
What is Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)?
As of 10 April 2019, the mobility element of the allowance is £61.20 per week. AFIP gives service personnel and veterans who were injured in service financial support in a similar way that WPMS does. It isn’t taxable and it’s administered by Veterans UK.
In order to be eligible for an Armed Forces Independence Payment, the recipient has to be entitled to a Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) of 50% or more through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
If you receive any of the above, you will need to have at least 12 months left on your allowance to apply. If you needed any further information, or wanted to check if you were eligible, you can use this Motability checker.
Sources
https://www.motability.co.uk/contact-and-support/faqs/am-i-eligible-to-join-the-motability-scheme
https://www.gov.uk/dla-disability-living-allowance-benefit
https://www.motability.co.uk/about-the-scheme/personal-independence-payment/