Who Qualifies for the Motability Scheme?

The Motability scheme is a helpful initiative, designed to allow people with disabilities to lease a new car every three years. Those who receive certain disability allowances can exchange part or all of this amount to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair.     

Here at Robins and Day, we are proud Motability dealers and offer cars through the scheme. If you’re asking the question ‘Do I qualify for Motability?’ and think you may be able to lease a new car through the scheme, then this handy guide explains everyone who is eligible and what you receive as part of it.    

Disabled Drivers or Individuals

To qualify for the Motability scheme, you need to have received one of two allowances and have at least 12 months’ award length remaining. These are the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA) and the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP).

In order to qualify for HRMC DLA you will need to be assessed to check the level of help you require. Being unable to walk, suffering severe discomfort when walking, requiring supervision to walk outdoors and being sight impaired can all help you qualify for this. For ERMC PIP you will also be assessed to establish if you need help going out or moving around. Only then can you get help with disabled driving through the Motability scheme.     

Appointees and Carers

An appointee is someone responsible for collecting state benefits for a disabled person and deciding how they are used. They will be assigned this by Veterans UK or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and are often a family member, or a corporate appointee is an organisation responsible for this.

Appointees are the hirer of a Motability scheme vehicle and take full responsibility for this. Carers on the other hand, can help a disabled person choose a vehicle but as they are not assigned by the DWP or Veterans UK cannot apply to the scheme themselves.   

Injured Members of the Armed Forces

Those who receive the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) are also eligible for the Motability scheme. This was only introduced in 2012 and covers members or ex-members of the Armed Forces who have been seriously injured. To be eligible for this payment, and therefore the Motability scheme, you must have been injured on or after 6 April 2005 and be given a Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) of 50% or more. If you don’t qualify, you may still be eligible for a PIP and Motability this way.   

War Veterans

Another allowance provided by Veterans UK is the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS). It provides financial support to veterans who are seriously injured as a result of their service and covers extra costs they may encounter. This allowance can be used to cover the cost of a lease agreement through the Motability scheme, for example. Unlike the AFIP, this is intended for the older generation, those who are receiving a pension already from the armed forces.   

How and What You Receive

Through the Motability scheme you are able to lease a brand-new car, with your benefit going directly to Motability each month. Depending on the vehicle you choose, it could be all or just part of your allowance, with an upfront payment needing to be made for more expensive vehicles.

As well as this, you also get insurance (including tyre and windscreen replacement cover), breakdown cover and vehicle tax. However, the insurance will not cover driving for business purposes, only personal use. You will need to fill in a ‘Business Use Application Form’ and submit to Motability if you wish to do this.  

Hopefully this makes using the Motability scheme a lot clearer, so you now know if you, or someone you are close to, will qualify.