Funding & help

Motability

Motability is the UK organisation that helps provide suitable mobility solutions for the disabled driver or passenger. If you receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement, getting a new car is easier and more affordable than ever. Through Motability, you simply turn part or all of your allowance into the car of your choice. Motability offer a contract hire scheme which includes your maintenance and service costs, comprehensive insurance for up to 2 drivers and RAC breakdown assistance. All you have to pay for is your fuel. Motability also run a grants scheme where you may qualify for help with the advanced payment, adaptations, even driving lessons. For further information go to www.motability.co.uk Tel 0845 456 4566.

There are also various other ways to fund your vehicle, Access to Work for example can help you if your health or disability affects the way you do your job. It gives you and your employer advice and support on extra costs which may arise due to your disability. For more information go to www.directgov.co.uk or www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk. Of course many people choose to fund the vehicle privately, this is entirely your choice.

Useful contact details

The Forum of Mobility Centres is a charitable network of centres providing driving assessments and useful information. There are 17 Mobility Centres across the UK, they give practical and independent advice to disabled drivers and passengers. They will assess your ability to drive, advise you about vehicles that might suit you and about any adaptations you may need.

Visit www.mobility-centres.org.uk or call 0800 559 3636 for more information.

The Disabled Living Foundation provides advice and information on all aspects of disability equipment. They have a database of products and suppliers with details of conversions, hoists, lifting equipment, car seats, vehicles for hire and vehicle accessories. For more information visit www.dlf.org.uk or call 0845 130 9177.

Mobilise is a self help organisation run for disabled people by disabled people and encourages greater independence through enhanced mobility. They provide information and have a regular magazine for members. Visit www.mobilise.info or call 01508 489 449.

Ricability is an independent research charity that produces practical printed and online guides for disabled people. Ricability has a guide to choosing a car including measurements and over 250 current and recent models. Visit www.ricability.org.uk or call 020 7427 2460.

http://www.theactfoundation.co.uk/ ACT provides grants to individuals and other charities, principally in the UK, with the aim of enhancing the quality of life for people in need, (specifically the mentally and physically disabled).

Are you eligible for a Motability car?



To lease a car from Motability, you must be receiving either:

· Higher Rate Mobility Component (HRMC) of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – currently £49.85 per week – or,

· War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) – currently £55.65 per week.

If you choose to lease a car through Motability’s Contract Hire scheme you must have at least 12 months’ award length remaining. For customers choosing to buy a car with a Hire Purchase agreement, you will need to be receiving the allowance for the full length of your agreement.

Do you need to have a driving licence?

If you opt for our lease agreement you do not need to drive. You can nominate up to two drivers who may be friends or relatives, and parents or carers can apply on behalf of a child aged three years and upwards.

However, proposed drivers must not have any serious driving convictions, disqualifications, or endorsements within the last five years. There are also some restrictions on drivers under 25 and those with provisional licences.

Checking your eligibility

If you would like assistance checking whether you are eligible for either the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement, you should contact one of the following agencies:

For enquiries about the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), please contact Pensions, Disability & Carers Service on 08457 123456 or visit the Directgov website.

For enquiries about the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS), please contact Service Personnel & Veterans Agency on 0800 169 2277 or visit the Veterans UK website