The Motability charity has supplied 1.5 million cars in the UK to 400,000 disabled customers. Laurence Gibson explains how the scheme woeks and who's eligible
Motability is a charity established in 1977 - thanks to a Thatcher-led Tory initiative to help boost car sales - to "help disabled people and their families become more mobile."
Since the charity first supplied a car in 1978, they have gone on to provide 1.5 million cars in the UK to almost 400,000 customers - now representing around seven per cent of all new car sales in the UK.
Under the scheme, customers agree to pay over all (or most of) the higher-rate mobility allowance of their Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for the duration of the contract, usually three years.
In return, you are given a vehicle of your choice, with all maintenance and servicing costs and emergency breakdown cover included.
If you already receive the higher rate mobility component of DLA, then you can choose from one of the following schemes (assuming your benefit has been awarded for at least the duration of the agreement):
The overwhelming majority - some 96 per cent - of customers opt for the contract hire scheme, with just three per cent of customers taking out a hire purchase agreement, and another one per cent are provided with wheelchairs through Motability.
As things stand, it is not easy to get the higher rate mobility component of DLA. According to official documents, you have to be described as being 'unable or virtually unable to walk' or be 'blind and deaf' in order to receive it.
So - if you are going to apply - then you will need some professional help from a benefit advisor to help you fill out the form. Their knowledge of 'keywords' or 'phrases' is helpful when your application is being considered.
Jacqueline Hosein, from London East Aids Network (LEAN), explains that you really must get help from a benefits advisor.
"When
you fill out the forms by yourself you will undoubtedly underestimate the extent
of your difficulties. Then, if your application is refused, you have to start
all over again," she says.
"To qualify for the higher rate mobility component you must fulfil a number of criteria: the first is walking outdoors, and how much effort is required to walk 50 metres. If you are in severe pain or discomfort, or breathless, or have severe cramps in your legs then you may well qualify," she continues.
"For the lower rate, you will have to show that you need someone with you when you are outside - for example, you have any memory loss, other physical difficulties or panic attacks." And the final category is about falls and stumbles or if you need help with stairs and uneven surfaces, she adds.
"But
it is not necessary for the applicant to have had an Aids-related illness to get
the higher rate, although it helps! For instance, if your peripheral neuropathy
is severe enough then you may be awarded it just because of that."
"However," she warns "the government recently tried to cut back on the amount of benefits it gives out - for example, five years ago it was much easier to be awarded everything."
Nevertheless, it is not impossible to get the benefit if you are HIV positive and symptomatic. Figures published by the Department of Work and Pensions show that - of almost 40,000 diagnosed as positive in the UK - there are a total of 6,900 people with Aids or who are HIV-symptomatic claiming DLA.
Of these, the vast majority - 5,900 - get the higher rate for mobility and the higher rate for care components of DLA. Moreover, the government this week announced plans to change the law with regard to HIV positive people and benefits. Until now, you had to have an Aids-defining illness or be classified as 'HIV symptomatic' to be even considered for higher rate DLA.
But a new draft disability bill proposed by last month by Andrew Smith, Secretary for Work and Pensions, states that the definition of 'disability' is going to be widened to include everyone diagnosed as HIV positive, not just those with symptoms. It should, therefore, become easier for the general HIV population to apply for the benefit.
Lisa Power, head of policy at the Terrence Higgins Trust said: "We are delighted by the announcement that the disability act will be widened to include HIV from the point of diagnosis."
Once you have your benefit in place, a group called Motability Finance Ltd - the finance provider behind the scheme - steps in to arrange the financial deal and oversee the day-to-day running of your car and look after it once it has been issued.
Confirmation of DLA in hand, you go to a regular car showroom. Big showrooms that deal in the popular brands like Volkswagen, Peugeot or Renault often have a staff member specifically appointed to arrange Motability deals who will do most of the liaison with the charity.
Ford and Vauxhall have their own disability sections called, respectively, Magic and Phoenix and have a reputation for being particularly disabled-friendly. But if you want a less common make or a luxury brand they may be less used to the paperwork.
You also have to make sure you get a Road Tax (Vehicle Excise) exemption form from the DLA so that you can get zero-rate disabled road tax next time you apply for it.
Motability Finance has a reputation for being at times a little less, erm, charitable. They are pretty strict with regard to any dents in the car, inspection dates or the amount of miles you are allowed to drive in 'your' car each year. You have to have an inspection every year and up till now if you have driven more than 12,000 miles that year - not difficult for people in rural areas - you have to pay for the extra mileage. Rest assured, if you get a Motability car, you will always be fully aware that it belongs to them NOT you.
In response to some of this criticism, Motability unveiled a new package on 1 February . You are now allowed up to 15,000 miles per year and you will be able to buy your hired car at the end of the three-year lease. But the only relaxation of the 'dents and scratches' policy is for users of wheelchairs or other mobility aids, who pointed out that they couldn't help making some scratches getting in and out of their cars.
Peter Smith, of Hackney, has had a Motability car for two years now - after being diagnosed with two Aids-related illnesses in 1999.
"Seven months ago I was in hospital for a while, and I left my Motability car parked outside my flat with the blue badge on display in the window to prevent it from getting clamped," he explains. "But when I got out of hospital the car had gone. I thought, at first, it must have been stolen but it turned out it was the badge that had somehow been taken - then the car had been clamped and removed.
"The pound wanted hundreds and hundreds of pounds to get it out - and it was going up each day - and Motability Finance Ltd were just incredibly unhelpful about the whole situation. They told me: 'there is nothing we can do' and that it was my responsibility to keep the car safe.
"The car remained in the car pound for six months - during which time I had to keep on paying over the higher rate mobility component of my DLA for a car which I couldn't drive.
"It is a disgrace that a company that is so worried about any tiny little dents in the car can be so detached when things get nasty. I am now repaying the £1,500 fines amassed by the car pound back in small weekly instalments!" he exclaims.
On the other hand, the Motability scheme is definitely a worthwhile one, which has assisted thousands of disabled people to become mobile.
"When I was really sick with an Aids-related illness, and couldn't get to the shops, or anywhere really, then my Motability car was of real use," says Paul Dixon. "I cannot thank Motabilty enough."
Where Motability really comes into its own is for people who do have severe mobility problems or use wheelchairs. Here Motability can get you cheaper deals on adaptations such as a wheelchair lift. However the higher-rate DLA is only enough in itself to pay for basic models and if you need adaptations or simply want a more expensive car, you have to pay some of the cost up front.
Tina Jordans has been with Motability since 1995 and has had three cars during that time. "They have definitely got stricter about repairing dents over that time," she says. "You are allowed 'fair wear and tear' but at my last inspection they required me to claim under the insurance for two dents that were so small I literally hadn't noticed them.
"When it was time for my last car to be handed back, Motability lost the certificate from my dealers saying it had been repaired and I spent a frustrating six weeks carless, ringing round Motability, Motability Finance, my old dealers and the actual managers of the 'fleet', a company called Kenning Leaseline, to find out who had the certificate and who could authorise my next car. It is a confusing structure.
"However, the excess you have to pay for insurance is only £75 per claim (£100 if you're under 25). The one time I did have a serious accident - a lorry backed into my brand-new car - it was fixed with little bother."
So, although with Motability it may not be all plain sailing, if you are lucky enough to get the benefit to begin with, they may well provide you with some great driving. Just buckle up for the ride.
Motability 01279-635 666 - Minicom 01279-632
273 - Fax 01279-632 000 www.motability.co.uk
Motability Finance Ltd - 020 7620 0400 - www.mfl.co.uk
Insurance - Royal Sun Alliance Motability 0500-37
37 37
Benefits Agency DLA Unit 0345-123 456 (Northern
Ireland - 028-9033 6556)
RAC Motability Assist - 0800-73 111 73
MAGIC (Motability and General Information Centre)
at: www.fordmagic.co.uk
