Motability Scheme: Do you get a free car because you are disabled?
I find myself going into this big explanation of the true cost of my car. Some people still don't fully understand.
The changes around the upcoming Welfare Reform has stirred the topic up again with people asking should Taxpayers be funding non-working people's car, without truly comprehending what they are talking about.
I am going to explain to you, the true cost of my Motability car, not because I feel I owe it to anyone, but because I want people to understand just how much people with disabilities put in to these cars.
(Image: Victoria-Jayne Scholes)
Firstly, are these cars free? Simple answer, No!
In order to qualify for a car, you must have enough points on the mobility part of the Personal Independence Allowance assessment to get enhanced rate.
This benefit is not means tested. Many have argued is this fair. As you will see below the cost of some of these cars would be too far beyond reach for so many it would be difficult to find a cut off point in my opinion.
Once you're awarded the enhanced rate, currently £77.05 we can trade for a car. No matter the car, big, small or medium the whole amount is given up.
However, our biggest expense, and this is not funded by our allowance or by Motability, is our Advanced Payment. Think of it like a deposit but you don't get it back.
When you are getting a new car every 3 years or 5 if it is a wheelchair accessible vehicle, these amounts can start to add up. If you go for a smaller can a Toyota Ago for example, then the advanced payment is zero. Meaning, you pay you monthly allowance only.
It still does not mean the car is free. That is money given to people with disabilities to get around as we struggle with our mobility. If not used for a car, it can be used for other things such as hiring a new wheelchair, or taxi's to get around.
Now, if we look to the bigger cars, such as the one I need to accommodate my needs, I am looking at a van. For me, the cost of an advanced payment with no adaptions in the car starts at £15,000.
My driving licence states I have to drive with certain controls including hand controls. These don't come cheap and easily add another £5,000 on top.
£15,000 for a car, that in 5 years-time I will have to hand back and then find again for another.
Some have to find as much as £35,000 plus.
Please do not get me wrong, I am in no way ungrateful, as I would never be able to afford my car off the scheme, but this is what I am trying to show.
For myself and so many others out there, this scheme is a lifeline. It's our independence, our access to work and our link to the outside world.
We have to find ways to pay this money, whether it be through grants, fund raising or through our hard-earned cash and savings but in no way free.
So next time you think about asking 'do disabled people get a free car, or is it fair taxpayers are paying for it,' think how much they are giving up, because for most it is not just the money they have lost.
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Daily Record
6 days ago
- Daily Record
DWP urged to review Motability scheme as part of new welfare reforms
Conservative MP Danny Kruger has urged the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to include a review of the Motability scheme as part of the UK Government's planned benefits reforms. The shadow minister put the suggestion to the senior DWP ministerial team on Monday during oral questions. The MP for East Wiltshire said: 'One area where the Government do not seem to be looking for savings is in the Motability scheme. It was supposed to help physically disabled people get around, but now we have 100,000 new people a year joining the scheme, many of them not physically disabled at all.' He highlighted how one in five of all new car purchases are bought through the Motability scheme which is 'costing taxpayers nearly £3 billion a year'. Mr Kruger added: 'I know that the Minister will blame us (Conservative party) for the system, but the fact is that the Government are not even looking at Motability. They have had a year, and it is their policy now. Will the Minister commit to a proper review of the Motability scheme, and if not, why not?' Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, responded: 'I am not sure whether the shadow Minister wants me to go further or not so far - he seems to be facing both ways. He is right that we are not at this point proposing any changes to the Motability scheme.' The Motability Scheme enables people in receipt of a disability benefit, with an award for the higher or enhanced rate of the mobility component, to transfer some or all of the payment to lease a new car, wheelchair-accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair. As well as a new car, customers also benefit from insurance, breakdown assistance, servicing, maintenance, tyres and windscreen repairs as part of the package. The latest price list for leasing packages shows there are now more than 800 vehicles to choose from. It's important to be aware the DWP does not oversee the scheme, but instead facilitates a direct transfer to Motability of a claimant's payment - in part or full - if they elect to join the nationwide scheme. The higher rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is worth £77.05 each week, some £308.20 every four-week payment period. The latest figures from the charity behind the Motability Scheme (Motability Operations) show there are now 815,000 customers across the UK, including around 80,000 living in Scotland. The Motability Scheme, or Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme as it is known for those on devolved disability benefits such as Adult Disability Payment (ADP) or Child Disability Payment (CDP), offers an affordable way for disabled people to get around outside more easily. PIP reforms There are currently 3.7 million people across Great Britain in claim for PIP, however, the UK Government expects that figure to rise by a further 750,000 to 4m by the end of the decade and has proposed a raft of new measures to make the benefit sustainable for future generations. Proposed package of reforms to overhaul the welfare system, include: Ending reassessments for disabled people who will never be able to work and people with lifelong conditions to ensure they can live with dignity and security. Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment to end the process that drives people into dependency, delivering on the UK Government's manifesto commitment to reform or replace it. Providing improved employment support backed by £1 billion including new tailored support conversations for people on health and disability benefits to break down barriers and unlock work. Legislating to protect those on health and disability benefits from reassessment or losing their payments if they take a chance on work. To ensure the welfare system is available for those with the greatest needs now and in the future, the UK Government has made decisions to improve its sustainability and protect those who need it most. These include: Reintroducing reassessments for people on incapacity benefits who have the capability to work to ensure they have the right support and are not written off. Targeting PIP for those with higher needs by changing the eligibility requirement to a minimum score of four on at least one of the daily living activities to receive the daily living element of the benefit, in addition to the existing eligibility criteria. Rebalancing payment levels in Universal Credit to improve the Standard Allowance. Consulting on delaying access to the health element of Universal Credit until someone is aged 22 and reinvesting savings into work support and training opportunities through the Youth Guarantee. DWP also launched an online consultation on the new proposals to coincide with the publication of the Green paper. The consultation can be completed by anyone and is open until 11.59pm on Monday June 30, 2025 - you can find full details on here. It's important to be aware that the proposed reforms announced by the DWP will not affect people in Scotland claiming Adult Disability Payment. The Scottish Government announced earlier this week it has no plans to mirror the proposed changes to devolved disability benefits.
Glasgow Times
20-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
Motability Scheme: Do you get a free car because you are disabled?
I find myself going into this big explanation of the true cost of my car. Some people still don't fully understand. The changes around the upcoming Welfare Reform has stirred the topic up again with people asking should Taxpayers be funding non-working people's car, without truly comprehending what they are talking about. I am going to explain to you, the true cost of my Motability car, not because I feel I owe it to anyone, but because I want people to understand just how much people with disabilities put in to these cars. (Image: Victoria-Jayne Scholes) Firstly, are these cars free? Simple answer, No! In order to qualify for a car, you must have enough points on the mobility part of the Personal Independence Allowance assessment to get enhanced rate. This benefit is not means tested. Many have argued is this fair. As you will see below the cost of some of these cars would be too far beyond reach for so many it would be difficult to find a cut off point in my opinion. Once you're awarded the enhanced rate, currently £77.05 we can trade for a car. No matter the car, big, small or medium the whole amount is given up. However, our biggest expense, and this is not funded by our allowance or by Motability, is our Advanced Payment. Think of it like a deposit but you don't get it back. When you are getting a new car every 3 years or 5 if it is a wheelchair accessible vehicle, these amounts can start to add up. If you go for a smaller can a Toyota Ago for example, then the advanced payment is zero. Meaning, you pay you monthly allowance only. It still does not mean the car is free. That is money given to people with disabilities to get around as we struggle with our mobility. If not used for a car, it can be used for other things such as hiring a new wheelchair, or taxi's to get around. Now, if we look to the bigger cars, such as the one I need to accommodate my needs, I am looking at a van. For me, the cost of an advanced payment with no adaptions in the car starts at £15,000. My driving licence states I have to drive with certain controls including hand controls. These don't come cheap and easily add another £5,000 on top. £15,000 for a car, that in 5 years-time I will have to hand back and then find again for another. Some have to find as much as £35,000 plus. Please do not get me wrong, I am in no way ungrateful, as I would never be able to afford my car off the scheme, but this is what I am trying to show. For myself and so many others out there, this scheme is a lifeline. It's our independence, our access to work and our link to the outside world. We have to find ways to pay this money, whether it be through grants, fund raising or through our hard-earned cash and savings but in no way free. So next time you think about asking 'do disabled people get a free car, or is it fair taxpayers are paying for it,' think how much they are giving up, because for most it is not just the money they have lost.
South Wales Guardian
20-06-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Motability Scheme: Do you get a free car because you are disabled?
I find myself going into this big explanation of the true cost of my car. Some people still don't fully understand. The changes around the upcoming Welfare Reform has stirred the topic up again with people asking should Taxpayers be funding non-working people's car, without truly comprehending what they are talking about. I am going to explain to you, the true cost of my Motability car, not because I feel I owe it to anyone, but because I want people to understand just how much people with disabilities put in to these cars. (Image: Victoria-Jayne Scholes) Firstly, are these cars free? Simple answer, No! In order to qualify for a car, you must have enough points on the mobility part of the Personal Independence Allowance assessment to get enhanced rate. This benefit is not means tested. Many have argued is this fair. As you will see below the cost of some of these cars would be too far beyond reach for so many it would be difficult to find a cut off point in my opinion. Once you're awarded the enhanced rate, currently £77.05 we can trade for a car. No matter the car, big, small or medium the whole amount is given up. However, our biggest expense, and this is not funded by our allowance or by Motability, is our Advanced Payment. Think of it like a deposit but you don't get it back. When you are getting a new car every 3 years or 5 if it is a wheelchair accessible vehicle, these amounts can start to add up. If you go for a smaller can a Toyota Ago for example, then the advanced payment is zero. Meaning, you pay you monthly allowance only. It still does not mean the car is free. That is money given to people with disabilities to get around as we struggle with our mobility. If not used for a car, it can be used for other things such as hiring a new wheelchair, or taxi's to get around. Now, if we look to the bigger cars, such as the one I need to accommodate my needs, I am looking at a van. For me, the cost of an advanced payment with no adaptions in the car starts at £15,000. My driving licence states I have to drive with certain controls including hand controls. These don't come cheap and easily add another £5,000 on top. £15,000 for a car, that in 5 years-time I will have to hand back and then find again for another. Some have to find as much as £35,000 plus. Please do not get me wrong, I am in no way ungrateful, as I would never be able to afford my car off the scheme, but this is what I am trying to show. For myself and so many others out there, this scheme is a lifeline. It's our independence, our access to work and our link to the outside world. We have to find ways to pay this money, whether it be through grants, fund raising or through our hard-earned cash and savings but in no way free. So next time you think about asking 'do disabled people get a free car, or is it fair taxpayers are paying for it,' think how much they are giving up, because for most it is not just the money they have lost.
