Can someone please give me some advice re: Mobility Cars please?
I am after information such as as the following:
1- What is the time limit on the contract for them? For example, what is the shortest contract tht you can have with them? I.e A year? 6 months? 3 years?
2- Are they really worth it / doing it? or financially are you better off getting your own private car?
3- Does the disabled person have to be in the car at all times with the designated driver? I.e is it like the rules with our blue badges in that case?
Also, out of curiosity; are there any Grants or Loans available to us with MS to help us get some sort of our own transport?
The minimum term is three years. You have to be in receipt of PIP at the enhanced rate for Mobility (i.e. unable to walk more than 20 metres) or still in receipt of DLA for the mobility component at the highest rate. This equates to £57.45 per week.
You agree to sign over your benefit for the period of the lease. If you want more than a basic car, you can pay an additional one off up front payment, the amount of which varies.
It is also possible to get a wheelchair accessible vehicle for a 5 year term, again I think there’s and up front payment.
I think it depends on your personal circumstances as to whether it’s worth it.
You also asked whether the disabled person has to be in the car, they don’t, but primarily the car should be used for the benefit of the disabled person. But of course that could be a non disabled person doing the shopping for the family, or for the disabled person.
I think it’s worth it. But others may be in a different financial position and perhaps already own a car which they prefer to keep.
thank you for the reply and the information too. you have answered alot of my questions / worries. I shall be having a really good think about things again.
I was asking for me as I’m part of the RRMS club too and I often have times where my other half need to ‘pop out’ and get a script etc for me and I just dont feel like going out that day / time see.
My OH also uses the car to go to the gym etc, I don’t think anyone would ever check on your usage of the car, I treat it like it’s his car. I only go out when I need to / want to / am forced to!! But then I’d always argue that he’s my conduit to the outside world. And plus, he pays the extra upfront payment.
Regarding whether or not it’s worth it really depends. If you went for your own car instead, you’d need to buy the car, buy any adaptations (if needed), pay for insurance, pay for breakdown cover, pay for any repairs, pay for servicing it, and pay for the MOT. Maybe you could do all that cheaper. But a great thing about Motability os that all of that is covered. So the way I see it is that, with Motability, you’re paying for ease & peace of mind.
The reason behind the mobility scheme is to help you and your family lead a more normal life if the car will help go for it
My wife and I are both disabled the car is in my wife’s name I get standard rate pip we have a Ford kuga it’s a bit higher
So easier to get in and out off take your time and do plenty of test drives and chose somthing that suits you and you like driving you are allowed to enjoy yourself despite what some in power think.