The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has clarified the details of a benefit worth £430, outlining the rules around the Motability Scheme and which funds can be allocated towards it. This comes after campaigners sought answers.
Labour Party Minister Sir Stephen Timms addressed why Attendance Allowance is excluded from the scheme, stating: “It has never included a mobility component, and so cannot be used in payment for a leased Motability Scheme vehicle.”
He further explained the government’s stance on mobility support, noting: “Government mobility support is focused on people who are disabled earlier in life; developing mobility needs in older life is a normal consequence of ageing, which non-disabled younger people have had opportunity to plan and save for.”
The DWP has indicated that individuals receiving benefits due to disability or illness that affects their mobility could be eligible to lease a vehicle through the Motability Scheme, reports Birmingham Live. This can help with leasing a car, powered wheelchair or scooter.
To be eligible you need to be receiving a qualifying benefit. These are:
- higher rate of the mobility component of DLA
- higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP
- enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment
The operators of the Motability Scheme add: “PIP helps with the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability. It’s not means-tested, or affected by earnings or savings.”
“We cannot accept the lower rate mobility part or the daily living parts of PIP on the Scheme.”