New Blue Badge and concession travel card update for people on PIP
How to apply for a Blue Badge
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that people on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) using the disability benefit to access other support services including the Blue Badge scheme, concessionary travel or Carer's Allowance, will not be impacted by welfare reforms when they are introduced next year.
Following a statement in Parliament on Monday, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall responded to topical questions from MPs on the potential impact of changes to PIP eligibility for 3.7 million people currently receiving payments of up to £749.80 every four weeks. Ms Kendall made it clear that existing claimants will not see any changes to their entitlement.
However, Labour MP for Gravesham, Dr Lauren Sullivan, sought clarity on the future implications for PIP as a passport benefit to other services.
Dr Sullivan said: 'PIP is, of course, a passport to freedom for many other things such as the Carer's Allowance, and many local authorities use PIP for Blue Badges and bus passes. Does the Secretary of State have a plan to mitigate the impact of the potential changes to PIP eligibility on access to Blue Badges and bus passes for disabled people?'
Ms Kendall responded: 'As I said in my statement, existing PIP claimants will continue to have that benefit. It will not be affected even if they have a reassessment, and neither will all the passported benefits.
'Carer's Allowance is the best known, but all passported benefits will be included in that protection.'
Last week, Conservative MP Danny Kruger urged the 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 during oral questions on June 23.
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.
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