Click on each of the links below to view a series of Frequently Asked Questions on a wide range of topics. You can also search the entire list of Frequently Asked Questions using the search field below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Charitable Grants - If you are thinking about applying for a grant
Yes, Motability is a national charity (Registered Charity in England and Wales No.299745 and in Scotland No.SC050642) which sets the strategic policies and direction of the Motability Scheme and oversees its performance to ensure that it meets the needs of disabled people.
Motability may offer Charitable Grants to disabled people who would not otherwise be able to afford the car, adaptations or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) they need. Motability may also be able to offer help with the cost of up to 40 hours of driving lessons.
Find out more information about Motability.
Yes, to request an online application form please contact us. Once you have received your online login details, they are valid for 30 days.
Motability will consider who has to travel with you on a day-to-day basis including your children, dependents who live with you and your carer/s. Luggage and equipment for respite care is taken into account. We award grants which are cost effective solutions based upon the individual disabled person’s mobility needs and not wants. All grant applications are means-tested to ensure Motability supports those most in need of a charitable grant to ensure they help as many beneficiaries as possible with the charitable funds available.
Motability are not able to award a grant if you have already ordered your vehicle. This is because your Case Manager will consider your individual circumstances. Grants are awarded in line with Motability’s policies and following thorough consideration of the information submitted in the application. All grant awards are final. Applications that Motability considers do not meet their criteria will not receive grant funding.
If you would like to apply for a Charitable Grant, please contact us on 0800 500 3186. Our opening times are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
We are currently experiencing a high level of incoming calls, so it may take longer to answer your call.
Please note that there is an increased demand for Charitable Grants in this current period. Our estimated lead time is 6 weeks for us to commence a review of your application.
If your login details do not work, the quickest way to resolve this is by replying to the original email that you were sent to request new details. Alternatively, please contact Charitable Grants on 0800 500 3186. Our opening times are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Motability’s charitable grants are awarded for vehicles that meet the disabled person’s mobility needs and not wants. Using the information that you provide, our Case Managers will carefully consider your individual circumstances. Your grant letter will include a list of suitable vehicles or vehicle categories that the charity is prepared to fund.
The majority of beneficiaries will not need to make any contribution to their vehicle, however if you choose to order a vehicle that costs more than the agreed grant award, then we may contact you to better understand your requirements.
Motability’s charitable grants are awarded for vehicles that meet the disabled person’s mobility needs and not wants. Using the information that you provide, our Case Managers will carefully consider your individual circumstances. All grant applications are means-tested to ensure we support those most in need of financial help so that we can help as many beneficiaries as possible with the charitable funds available.
Grants are awarded in line with our policies and following thorough consideration of the information submitted in the application. All grant awards are final, except in cases where additional compelling information is provided. Applications that we consider do not meet our funding priorities will not receive grant funding.
If, after considering your application, we believe you are able to afford to make a contribution towards the vehicle yourself, we may make this a condition of your grant award.
Yes, Motability may be able to help with these types of vehicles and adaptations. As these types of vehicles are individually tailored for you, they are more expensive than a standard production vehicle, so we will look at a wider range of factors when considering your application.
Find out more information about Complex Driving Solutions.
Yes, when reviewing your applications, we will talk to you about the people who will need to travel with you on a regular basis, so that we can determine who we need to consider as part of the application.
We will consider who has to travel with you on a day-to-day basis. This may include your children (those you receive child benefit for), dependents who live with you, for example, an elderly parent who you have caring responsibilities for and your carer/s. Luggage and equipment for respite care is taken into account when looking at a grant funded solution.
If you apply for a Charitable Grant, Motability will look at your everyday mobility needs. Assistance animals can be considered as part of the application for a Charitable Grant, however pets may not be able to travel if it means that you need a grant towards a larger vehicle in order to accommodate them. When your application is being considered by a Case Manager, they will contact you to gain a full understanding of your circumstances.
You may also be able to get a Charitable Grant towards the cost of your driving lessons. Find out more information about Charitable Grants.
Where Motability has provided a grant towards driving lessons, they will normally be carried out in an instructor’s vehicle. If the instructor is unable to carry out lessons in their vehicle due to your adaptations, we will work with you to identify the best way forward.
Charitable Grants - If you have already applied for a grant
When you place an application for a charitable grant, it will be allocated to a case manager for consideration. During busy periods, such as at this current time, it may take a number of weeks for your application to be assigned to a Case Manager. Please wait for your Case Manager to contact you to update you on the status of your application.
Should you need to speak with your Case Manager please contact 0800 500 3186.
If you have submitted an application for a Charitable Grant but have not heard from us within 7 days of sending it, then please call us on 0800 500 3186. You should not place any orders until we have confirmed that your grant application has been successful.
Our opening times are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Post is being processed and being dealt with by our teams. Once an application has begun, the relevant Case Manager will be given the posted documents.
Please note that there is increased demand for Charitable Grants at this time therefore it may take us longer than usual to get back to you.
Documents can be emailed to grantsteam@motability.org.uk
If you are unable to email them, you can post us copies but please do not send originals as we are unable to return them.
If you have sent your application by post, a member of our Grants Team will contact you within 48 hours of receiving your completed form, to let you know that we have received it safely. For applications completed online, you will get an automated reply to let you know that it has been successfully submitted.
Please note that there is increased demand for Charitable Grants at this time and therefore it may take us longer than usual to get back to you. Following the re-opening of dealerships, our lead time is currently 6 weeks for a Case Manager to commence a review of an application so we would really appreciate if you could wait for us to contact you.
We thank you for your understanding and patience on this as we work through the applications as swiftly as we can.
Please visit motability.co.uk/contact to speak to a Scheme advisor.
Charitable Grants - If you have received a grant award
Please contact your Case Manager using the telephone number provided within your award letter.
Your grant award letter should detail the name and contact details of the Case Manager looking after your application and you can contact them directly on this number. Following the dealerships re-opening, there is a higher demand on our service. This means that it may take us longer to answer the phone.
You can learn to drive in your Motability Scheme car. Disabled drivers can take lessons from the age of 16. Any other drivers with provisional licenses must be over 21 if you want them to drive your car, and you can only have one learner driver on your Certificate of Motor Insurance at any one time. You may also be able to get financial help towards the cost of your driving lessons.
The car industry is currently experiencing challenges with stock levels and vehicle build times due to the global shortage of semiconductors, or ‘chips’, and availability of new cars may be further restricted in the coming months as a result. We award grants in line with our policies and with thorough consideration of the information submitted in the application. This is essential to ensure we support as many beneficiaries as possible with the charitable funds available. For this reason, we will only consider increasing a grant award to speed up delivery of a vehicle in exceptional circumstances, such as when the beneficiary has a life-limiting condition.
Charitable Grants - If you want to know about your driving assessment
If you would like to reschedule your appointment, please call our Field Administration Team on 01279 632282.
Our Mobility Driving Advisors are carrying out home visits in accordance with government guidance and any local restrictions. If we are unable to complete your visit, we will contact you. To find out how we carry out home visits safely, take a look at our short video Your Driving Assessment, Your Peace of Mind located on our Coronavirus page, which explains the safety measures that we have put in place.
Our Mobility Driving Advisor will update the Case Manager who is considering your application with their findings. You can contact your Case Manager on the telephone number that they have given to you or by calling Charitable Grants on 0800 500 3186. Our opening times are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Already a Customer
Department for Work and Pensions will send you a renewal pack to re-assess your claim. If your allowance is extended, your Motability Scheme lease agreement will continue as normal. If, for any reason, your allowance is not renewed or you should contact the Motability Scheme to discuss the options. You would not be expected to pay the remaining amount of the agreement but you may need to return the car.
If you are applying for a Charitable Grant towards a new vehicle, you can apply from four months before the end of your current Scheme lease. If you are applying for a Charitable Grant towards a new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) on the Motability Scheme, you can apply from six months before the end of your current Scheme lease.
Motability can arrange a Motability Scheme lease extension if your vehicle remains in a good condition and the mileage is not excessive. With a lease extension, you can remain in the vehicle that meets your needs, with insurance, roadside recovery, service, maintenance and repairs continuing to be included.
Find out more information about considerations for a Charitable Grant .
All Motability Scheme customers can receive a free copy of Lifestyle magazine every three months. By reading Lifestyle, you will be able to catch up on the latest news from Motability and the Scheme. Read latest issue of Lifestyle online.
If you are mid-way through your lease and aren’t receiving Lifestyle but would like to, or you would like to stop receiving it, please contact Motability Operations.
Lifestyle is published on behalf of Motability by Wonderly, part of Haymarket Media Group, Bridge House, 69 London Road, Twickenham, TW1 3SP.
You can learn to drive in your Motability Scheme car. Disabled drivers can take lessons from the age of 16. Any other drivers with provisional licenses must be over 21 if you want them to drive your car, and you can only have one learner driver on your Certificate of Motor Insurance at any one time. You may also be able to get a Charitable Grant towards the cost of your driving lessons. Find out more information about Charitable Grants.
Where Motability has provided a grant towards driving lessons, they will normally be carried out in an instructor’s vehicle. If the instructor is unable to carry out lessons in their vehicle due to your adaptations, we will work with you to identify the best way forward.
The Motability Scheme leasing package includes cover for three named drivers. Regardless of who is driving, the Scheme car should always be used for the benefit of the disabled customer.
To ensure that Scheme customers are gaining direct benefit from their Motability Scheme car, location trackers may be fitted to vehicles if the risk of potential misuse is high; for example, where Scheme customers permanently live in a care home and have a number of drivers who have access to the car, or if none of the customer's named drivers are resident at their address.
Motability expect to fit location trackers in fewer than five percent of the more than 630,000 cars leased through the Motability Scheme. Where a location tracker has been identified as appropriate, the Scheme customer will always be contacted in advance of the tracker being fitted. Data will only be collected on the location of a Scheme car at any given point and this data will only be used where a report has been made, or suspicion raised, that a car may be being misused.
Find out more information about location trackers on the Motability Scheme website.
Contacting us
You can contact the Press Office by calling 07764 790863 (8.45am - 5.15pm Monday to Friday). Please note, customer enquiries cannot be answered by the Press Office.
Email: pressoffice@motability.org.uk opens email client
Take a look at our contact information .
You can contact us online, write to us or call us, see our contact details below:
Online: visit our Contact page where you can find contact details for Media Enquiries, Charitable Grants and customer insurance products. You can also submit a general enquiry form, provide feedback, make a complaint, sign up for information or order resources.
If you would like to get in touch with the Motability Scheme you can call 0300 456 4566 or visit the Motability Scheme website .
Motability attend a number of national events and exhibitions, including Naidex, Kidz to Adultz exhibitions and the Royal College for Occupational Therapists’ annual conference. Take a look at events and exhibitions to see the events we are attending this year.
Find out about One Big Days and The Big Event on the Motability Scheme website.
You can contact the Motability Scheme by calling the Customer Careline on 0300 456 4566 (call charges may apply).
Alternatively, please contact them online at motability.co.uk
Take a look at more contact information .
If you have signed up to our healthcare professional database to receive our newsletter, Motability Matters, and would like to change your contact details, including your name and address, please email communications@motability.org.uk opens email client at Motability.
If you are a Motability Scheme customer and would like to update your contact details, please complete the form Update your contact details on the Motability Scheme website.
Events
Motability attend a number of national events and exhibitions, including Naidex, Kidz to Adultz exhibitions and the Royal College for Occupational Therapists’ annual conference. Take a look at our Exhibitions page to see what we are attending this year.
Find out about One Big Days and The Big Event on the Motability Scheme website.
Customer Discounts and Offers
Home insurance designed with Motability Scheme customers in mind is provided by RSA, offering the flexibility to choose the right level of cover to suit your needs.
For more information and a free quotation call 0800 783 0061 or visit RSA for more information and 10% off.
Take a look at the other insurance products available.
Specialist medical travel insurance is provided by AllClear, who offer travel insurance for individuals, couples and groups of any age for single or multi trip policies.
For more information and a free quotation visit AllClear or call 0808 164 1807.
Take a look at the other insurance products available.
Haven have teamed up with Motability to offer Scheme customers exclusive savings of up to 15% on UK family holidays and short breaks.
Haven are proud to be in partnership with Motability and are delighted to offer Scheme customers and their families the chance to an additional 15% on top of their best direct prices on off-peak breaks and holidays.
Find out more information about Haven Holidays.
Joining the Scheme - Mobility Allowances
You need to have at least 12 months remaining on your award to join the Motability Scheme. If you have less than 12 months remaining, you will not be able to place a new application until the Department for Work and Pensions extend or renew your allowance.
For our complex driving solutions, we ask for a minimum term of 18 months remaining on your award. This is due to the bespoke nature of these solutions which incur a longer lead time to build to your specification.
The Higher Rate Mobility Component (HRMC) of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) can be awarded from the third birthday of the disabled person. It is possible to apply for the allowance before that date and as long as the eligibility criteria is met, the award will start from when the disabled person turns three. If a child under three has had the allowance confirmed, an application can be made up to three months before their third birthday, but the Motability Scheme agreement cannot start until the allowance is awarded.
If a child above the age of three is in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Allowance, an application can be made to the Motability Scheme. Find out more information about How to join the Motability Scheme . The application will need to be submitted in the name of the appointee (parent or guardian) who is responsible for the allowance.
The Motability Scheme works with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in the same way as it does with Disability Living Allowance (DLA). The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair. If you receive one of the following allowances, with at least 12 months remaining, you may be eligible to join the Motability Scheme:
- Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
The War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement is provided by Veterans UK. This allowance can be used to cover the cost of a Motability lease agreement. This is currently £69.85 per week (as of 14/04/2021).
Find out more information about the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement on GOV.UK .
Eligibility for the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the DLA award is determined by the Department for Work and Pensions, who should be contacted with any queries.
The Motability Charity work in partnership with the DWP to send letters once a year to all recipients of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Enhanced Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This letter is to advise people that they can join the Motability Scheme and to provide an information leaflet.
Please call 0800 953 4002 and request that the name and addresses are removed from future correspondence.
Can I join the Motability Scheme?
To be eligible to join the Motability Scheme, you must receive one of these disability allowances:
Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA)
Higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment
War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
You will need to have at least 12 months remaining on your allowance when you apply.
Those who receive the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) can apply to join the Motability Scheme. Find out more information About the Motability Scheme .
If you receive this allowance and would like further information, please contact the Motability Scheme's Customer Services on 0300 456 4566.
You can also visit the Motability Scheme website and use the Car Search to see the vehicles available on the Scheme. Using the car search, you will need to select the option PIP/AFIP- Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment on the allowance type field.
If you would like to appeal to re-join the Motability Scheme, visit the Motability Scheme website and complete the Request to join the Scheme form.
The circumstances of your case will be examined and the team will advise you of its decision as quickly as possible.
You can apply to join the Motability Scheme if you are aged 65 and over and you receive one of the following allowances:
- Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA)
- Higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
You must have at least 12 months remaining on your allowance when you join the Scheme. Unfortunately, the Attendance Allowance cannot be used to lease a car through the Motability Scheme.
Find out more about allowances at GOV.UK.
How the Motability Scheme works
No, you are not able to have more than one lease agreement (i.e. more than one product or vehicle) through the Motability Scheme at any time. Therefore, it is not possible to lease a car and a powered wheelchair or scooter at the same time.
Leasing a car through the Motability Scheme includes insurance for up to three named drivers – these can be yourself, friends, family or carers.
All proposed drivers are subject to the Motability Scheme’s policies on who can drive your car, and must also meet RSA Motability’s (RSAM) eligibility criteria regardless of whether they are added at application or during your lease. Only drivers listed as permitted drivers on the Certificate of Motor Insurance are insured to drive your Motability Scheme car.
Remember, the car must be used by, or for the benefit of, the disabled person. This does not mean that the disabled person needs to be in the car for every journey. In practice, this means other named drivers in the household can use the car for shopping and other routine activities, as long as the disabled person will benefit.
The Motability Scheme offers a selection of adaptations; ranging from simple driving controls to person hoists that lift a wheelchair user into a standard car. You can view the list of adaptations available on the Motability Scheme website.
To see the range of cars available on the Motability Scheme, you can use the Car Search on the Motability Scheme website.
The car search includes a selection of makes and models including Ford, Nissan, Seat, Vauxhall, Mazda, Mercedes, Toyota and Renault. You can narrow your search using the filters which include car type, prices and advance payment.
To see the range of scooters available on the Motability Scheme, you can use the Scooter Search on the Motability Scheme website.
If you are eligible to join the Motability Scheme, all you need to do is visit local Motability Scheme dealers and arrange an appointment with their Motability specialist. The Motability specialist at your local dealership will arrange test drives and can help you enjoy choosing a car that’s right for you.
As part of your appointment, your dealer will take you through a Motability Scheme Suitability Questionnaire. This is designed to make sure the car you’re considering, and the Motability Scheme, is right for you. Once you have chosen a car, your dealer will complete the application for you online at the dealership. You’ll need to take your Certificate of Entitlement, a recent utility bill, and the driving licences of any drivers to be insured. If your proposed driver is unable to come with you to the dealership, they must complete the Driver Consent Form.
Visit the Motability Scheme website to find a dealer near you.
Depending on which vehicle you choose, you will exchange all or most of the higher rate mobility part of your weekly disability allowance for the course of your three year lease. Other parts - such as the care component - remain completely untouched and you will continue to receive them as normal.
All standard scooters and powered wheelchairs cost less than your weekly allowance meaning you get some money back.
Meanwhile for cars there are three pricing options to choose from. Some cost less than your weekly allowance, others cost the same as your weekly allowance, and some require an Advance Payment. You can use our Car Search tool to search current prices. And don't forget, when you lease a car through the Scheme, insurance, breakdown cover, servicing and maintenance, tyre and windscreen replacement are all included in the worry-free package, so all you need to budget for is fuel.
If you are the customer there are no restrictions to you joining the scheme with a provisional licence, although you will have to meet all other acceptance criteria. Providing you are shown as a Motability permitted driver on the Certificate of Motor Insurance and you are accompanied by your nominated driver who is over 21 and has held their licence for at least three years you can learn to drive in the car.
For all other drivers, certain restrictions do apply regarding provisional licence holders e.g. you must be aged 21 or over, in addition to meeting all other acceptance criteria. For further details of these please contact RSA Motability .
Find out more about the Scheme's policies on who can drive your car
"Contract Hire" is the term used to describe the type of leasing agreement contract offered through the Motability Scheme.
All the "Contract Hire" lease agreements offer a new car of your choice every three years (five years for wheelchair accessible vehicles); the leasing package also includes insurance, servicing and maintenance, breakdown cover, as well as tyre and windscreen replacement.
Take a look at vehicles available on the Motability Scheme website.
A Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) is a vehicle that is converted so a wheelchair user can travel either as a passenger or a driver, without needing to transfer out of their wheelchair.
Find out about Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles on the Motability Scheme website.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
PIP is the allowance which is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for disabled people aged between 16 and 64. Like DLA, PIP has two components: a daily living component and a mobility component. Each component has two rates of payment: a ‘standard rate’ and an ‘enhanced rate’ which is the same amount as the DLA. You can lease a Motability Scheme car, scooter or powered wheelchair by using the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP, similar to the Higher Rate Mobility Component of DLA.
If you receive DLA, you will be invited to make a claim for PIP by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Until that point, you do not need to do anything. However, when you receive the letter, it is important to respond to the invitation within the given timescales.
The Government is currently in the process of replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people aged between 16 and 64. If you are awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP, you will continue to be able to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme.
Disabled children will continue to receive DLA until they reach the age of 16. DLA will also continue to be available for those who turned 65 on or before 8 April 2013. If you receive the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or Armed Forces Independence Payment, you will not be affected by this new allowance.
As an existing DLA claimant, you will not need to make a claim for PIP until you are contacted by the DWP.
Please note that the annual allowance letter that you receive from the DWP is not the invitation to make a claim, you will receive separate notice of this.
The Government is currently in the process of replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people aged between 16 and 64. If you are awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP you will continue to be able to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme. This process began in April 2013 in Great Britain and from 20 June 2016 in Northern Ireland. The transition from DLA to PIP is now complete in Northern Ireland, but there is no indication when the programme will finish in Great Britain. Please remember, you do not need to do anything until the DWP contacts you to make a claim for PIP.
More information about the DWP’s plans for DLA and PIP can be found on the Government’s website: www.gov.uk/personal-independence-payment or for Northern Ireland visit: www.nidirect.gov.uk/personal-independence-payment.
If the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) decides you are not eligible for ERMC PIP, you will no longer be eligible to use the Motability Scheme. Unfortunately, vehicles are only leased through the Motability Scheme to people who receive one of the relevant mobility allowances.
Please contact the Motability Scheme if you are no longer in receipt of an eligible allowance.
I am a Healthcare Professional
If you have signed up to our healthcare professional database to receive our newsletter, Motability Matters, and would like to update or change your contact details, including your name and address, please email communications@motability.org.uk
Please visit our Professionals and Advisors section where you can download or order free resources.
The Motability Charity Team will be at the OT Show at the NEC in Birmingham on 24 and 25 November 2021. Visit our Exhibitions page to find out more information about the exhibitions we are attending.
Transitional Support - What is the Transitional support package?
As part of its welfare reform programme, the Government has started to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for disabled people aged between 16 or over and who have not reached State Pension age with a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Recipients who are awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP will qualify for Motability in exactly the same way as today. However, because PIP is a new benefit with different criteria to DLA, some disabled customers may not qualify for mobility support, or may do so at a lower level, meaning they are no longer eligible to use the Scheme through no change in their own circumstances. We provide a one-off transitional package of support and advice regarding alternative mobility arrangements to those Scheme customers who leave as a result of being reassessed for PIP. This recognises the unexpected and exceptional nature of these changes. To read the full statement from Motability’s Chairman Lord Sterling
Transitional Support - Returning the car
If you are not awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP, please contact Motability Operations Ltd as soon as possible. As soon as the DWP confirms that you are no longer eligible for the Scheme, Motability Operations Ltd will write to you, giving you more information specific to your situation. This will include a personalised letter which outlines the transitional support package that may be available to you, as well as the purchase price of your vehicle. They will also enclose our Staying mobile after the Motability Scheme guide (PDF 833.0 KB), which includes advice on buying a second hand car, information on insurance, maintenance and other mobility solutions.
The DWP will continue to pay your existing level of DLA for four weeks after their decision that you do not qualify for the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP. Once we have been informed of the DWP’s decision, Motability Operations Ltd will write to you with details of how to return your vehicle. You will be able to keep the car for eight weeks after the DLA payments stop. In addition, if you first joined the Scheme before 1 January 2014 you will have the option to keep the car for 26 weeks after the last DLA payment.
The DWP will write to you to let you know the outcome and separately they will confirm this decision to us. However, if you are not awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP it is important that you contact Motability Operations Ltd immediately, so that they can support you in the transition from the Motability Scheme. Please make sure that both the DWP and Motability Operations Ltd have your correct contact details so there is no delay in sending you information regarding your transitional support package, where eligible.
In order to qualify for the transitional support package, you must return your car to a Motability Scheme dealership. This can either be your dealer or, alternatively if it is more convenient, you can arrange with us to return the car to a different Motability Scheme dealership which is closer to you.
Transitional Support - Financial Support
For information regarding the detail of Transitional Support, please visit our dedicated page on this.
Please make sure that both the DWP and Motability Operations Ltd have your correct contact details so there is no delay if we need to send you information regarding your transitional support package, where eligible.
Scooter and powered wheelchair customers who joined the Scheme before 2014 will be provided with a package of support and advice with the objective of enabling them to purchase their current product wherever possible. Arrangements will be made to help those with specialised mobility needs, including customers with a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV).
This package will be reviewed regularly and changes may be made to it as a result.
If you do not return the car to your dealer within eight weeks of the date of your last payment, you will automatically have selected to keep the car for 26 weeks and your transitional support payment will be reduced accordingly.
If you have left the Scheme for a period of one year or more and decide to rejoin the Scheme, you are considered to be a new customer from the date you started your new lease. Therefore, as you rejoined the Car Scheme in 2013 after more than a one year break, you will be eligible for a one-off £1,000 transitional support package providing you return the car to the dealership in good condition and within the given timescales. This reduced, yet still significant, amount is because information on PIP has been publicly available since you decided to rejoin the Scheme.
If you decided to rejoin the Car Scheme in 2014 you would only be eligible for the standard £250 which is in line with the Scheme's general policy for ending your contract early.
The money will be sent to you in the form of a cheque within 14 days of returning the vehicle.
This is a one-off support package to help with the transition from the Scheme and it is not expected that you’ll need to pay this back if you are later awarded PIP. However, if you decide to rejoin the Scheme within six months of receiving the transitional support package, you will need to speak to Motability Operations Ltd to discuss your options.
If you are not awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP, please contact Motability Operations Ltd as soon as possible. As soon as the DWP confirms that you are no longer eligible for the Scheme, Motability Operations Ltd will write to you, giving you more information specific to your situation. This will include a personalised quote for you to purchase the Motability vehicle. The transitional support package that you would otherwise have received when returning the vehicle, will be taken off the cost of buying the car. If you joined the Scheme before the end of 2013 and choose to keep it for the extended 26 week period, we will send you a revised quote towards the end of this period.
No further rental payments or costs will be applied to customers whose leases end early as a result of a PIP reassessment.
If you have paid an Advance Payment, this will be refunded to you on a pro-rata basis. For example, if the agreement ended after one year of a three year lease, two-thirds of the Advance Payment would be refunded. If you paid a significant Advance Payment for your vehicle you may want to consider the effect of a lower pro rata refund if you choose to keep the vehicle for the extended 26 week period.
No, the one-off transitional support package has been specifically designed to support car, scooter and powered wheelchair customers who have to give up their vehicle as a result of the new criteria for PIP. PIP is a new benefit with different criteria to DLA, so some disabled customers may not qualify for mobility support, or may do so at a lower level, meaning they are no longer eligible to use the Scheme through no change in their own circumstances.
However, as a car customer, if you return the car to the dealership in good condition and within the given timescales, you will be eligible for the standard £250 which is line with the Scheme's general policy for ending your contract early. Please note that only customers who are required to return their vehicle due to an unsuccessful PIP reassessment have access to the extended eight or 26 week options.
No, the transitional support package will not be made to anyone who has not engaged in the reassessment process. However, if you have actively decided not to undergo reassessment and have informed the DWP of this decision (so they can tell us), you will still be eligible. We recommend that you pay particular attention to any response dates for submitting documentation to the DWP and make sure that both the DWP and Motability Operations Ltd have your correct contact details so there is no delay in sending you information regarding your transitional support package, where eligible.
The amount of financial support you may be eligible for as part of the Transitional Support Package depends on when you entered into a lease agreement for a Motability Scheme car.
Transitional Support - Specialised mobility
If you are not awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP, please contact us as soon as possible to let us know. As soon as the DWP confirms that you are no longer eligible for the Scheme, we will write to you giving you more information specific to your situation. In most cases we will try to work with you so that you can stay in your existing product. We will also enclose our Staying mobile after Motability guide Will download a resource (PDF 882.9 KB), this mentions a number of useful resources for additional advice and future support. In line with the changes made on 20 April 2017, customers with a scooter or powered wheelchair will be able to keep their product for up to a maximum of eight weeks after their last DLA payment.
If you have adaptations, Motability Operations Ltd will help you with the costs of fitting similar adaptations to a non-Scheme vehicle. Further information about this will be included in the personalised letter which Motability Operations Ltd will send you if they are informed that you are not awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP.
WAV customers are automatically entitled to keep their vehicle for 26 weeks, regardless of when they joined the Scheme and without reduced transitional support payment. During this time we will work with you on a case by case basis to discuss what options are available to you. Further information will be included in the personalised letter which we will send you if we are informed that you are not awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP.
Transitional Support - Staying Mobile
We will give you the opportunity to purchase your existing vehicle. Details of this will be included in the personalised letter which Motability Operations Ltd will send to you if they are informed that you are not awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP. The transitional support package that you would otherwise have received when returning the vehicle, can be taken off the cost of buying the car. As the Motability Scheme is a leasing scheme, Motability Operations Ltd are unable to assist you in buying a non-Scheme car. However, the dealer who provided your Motability Scheme car could be a good starting point to find out what’s available.
The Staying mobile after the Motability Scheme guide (PDF 833.0 KB) also includes advice on buying a second hand car, information on insurance, maintenance and other mobility solutions.
Further information to help you think about your options, including advice on buying a second hand car, information on insurance, maintenance and other mobility solutions is available from a variety of sources. For example, Disability Rights UK and Rica both produce a number of useful guides which you may find helpful.
If you are not awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP, please contact Motability Operations Ltd as soon as possible. As soon as the DWP confirms that you are no longer eligible for the Motability Scheme, Motability Operations Ltd will write to you, giving you more information specific to your situation. You will also be sent a copy of the Staying mobile after the Motability Scheme guide (PDF 833.0 KB). This mentions a number of useful resources for additional advice and future support.
RSA Motability (RSAM) will send you a letter giving details of your claims history on the Scheme. To request a copy of the claims history letter for yourself or a named driver please contact RSAM by emailOpens email client or by calling 0300 037 3737. Motability Operations Ltd are working with Autonet, a leading UK insurance broker, who will offer insurance quotes to former Scheme customers that will recognise their no-claims history on the Scheme.
The Staying mobile after the Motability Scheme guide (PDF 833.0 KB) includes information on arranging insurance.
Direct Mailing
You have been sent our direct mailing as you receive one of the below allowances.
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
- Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS).
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).
If you receive one of the above qualifying benefits and have at least 12 months remaining on your award, you can apply for a Motability Scheme vehicle.
If you would like to be removed from our mailing list please visit motability.co.uk/hello or freephone: 0800 953 4002 and quote your mailing code e.g. PIP21-XX or DWP21-XX.
In order to remove you successfully we will require your first name, surname, address and postcode.
If you would like to update your direct mailing address please visit motability.co.uk/hello or freephone: 0800 953 4002 and quote your mailing code e.g. PIP21-XX or DWP21-XX.
In order to amend your details successfully we will require your first name, surname, old address and postcode and new address and postcode.
If you are interested in enquiring into a Charitable Grant please visit https://www.motability.org.uk/grants/ or call 0800 500 3186, 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
When enquiring please quote your mailing code e.g. PIP21-XX or DWP21-XX.
If you are interested in enquiring into joining the Motability Scheme please visit motability.co.uk/hello or freephone: 0800 953 4002 and quote your mailing code e.g. PIP21-XX or DWP21-XX.