Motability Scheme - enhancements to PIP transitional support package

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Category: Benefits

Published on Friday, 21 April 2017 21:30

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Please find below an announcement from Penny Mordaunt, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, relevant to the Motability Scheme and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which may be of interest to you.
You will also find a comment from Lord Sterling, Chairman and Co-founder of Motability explaining this further.

The information relates to enhancements to the PIP transitional support package available to people who are unsuccessful in their reassessment from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to PIP.

Further details are also available, including a Q&A, on the Motability Scheme website here

Written statement made by Penny Mordaunt

Extending the Motability lease (following reassessment from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP))

The Motability Scheme plays a vital role in the lives of many disabled people and their families in supporting their mobility through the provision of a car, scooter or powered wheelchair. Motability has no role in determining who should receive Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.

In September 2013, the charity put in place a transitional support package, which includes up to £2,000 lump sum for those disabled people who are not entitled to the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment following reassessment from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment in order to help them remain mobile.

Over the last few months, DWP and Motability have been working closely together to explore further ways of helping disabled people.

A key focus of this work has been how best to support Motability customers who are in the process of any reconsideration or appeal.

Today I am able to announce that Motability has kindly offered to enhance their Disability Living Allowance - Personal Independence Payment Transitional Support package to allow scheme customers to retain the car for up to eight weeks after their Disability Living Allowance payments end, a significant increase from the three weeks they are allowed today.

In addition customers who are eligible for a transitional support payment will be able to retain their car for up to six months, including during the processes of reconsideration or appeal. For those who take advantage of this option, the level of transitional support payment will be reduced.

Lord Sterling, Chairman and Co-Founder of Motability said:
For almost 40 years, Motability – as an independent charity – has been committed to helping disabled people and their families with their mobility and to date has provided over four and a half million vehicles.

Some five years ago, my fellow Governors and I recognised that the introduction of PIP would be a major change to disability benefits and that many disabled people might need our help and support during the period of transition.

Since 2013, our transitional support package has helped over 50,000 disabled people who can no longer use the Scheme, to retain mobility outside of it. The additional support that we are now able to provide, as outlined in the Minister’s statement today, will help many Scheme customers including those who are in the process of reconsideration or appeal.

Motability has an excellent working relationship with DWP and we continue to work together to explore further ways of helping disabled people.

The Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health, Penny Mordaunt, said: 
“Being able to get around is fundamental to living independently, which is why the Motability Scheme is valued by so many people.

“These changes will give peace of mind to many people going through the appeals process. I’m glad that we’ve been able to work together with Motability to reinforce our commitment to help disabled people in their day to day lives.”