Following a consultation process designed to test a number of ideas with Motability Scheme customers, disability groups and disabled people, Motability have announced a new set of initiatives to further the Charity arm’s aim to help and support disabled people with their mobility.
Some of the ideas put forward are completely new, such as exploring the potential of connected and autonomous vehicle technology to help people with a disability in new ways.
Excerpts from a recent statement by Lord Sterling, Chairman of Motability.
'Motability previously committed to spend some £175 million, supporting Scheme customers who lost their eligibility to use the Scheme following reassessment from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
In addition to this, we have committed to support all Scheme customers who lose eligibility to the Motability Scheme as a result of a stopped allowance, such as PIP to PIP assessment, with a Stopped Allowance Support payment of £1,000.
Further details, including a programme start date, will be communicated to Scheme customers in due course.'
'In order to help more disabled people gain access to employment, Motability will, in due course, provide supplementary grants to disabled people who have applied to the Department for Work and Pensions for Access to Work support, for items such as wheelchairs.
Further details, including a programme start date, will be communicated once finalised.'
'In November 2017, the Motability Tenth Anniversary Trust initiated a pilot in partnership with Family Fund to provide £1m to support families with severely disabled children under the age of three who have significant mobility needs, as individuals of this age group are ineligible for mobility support through the Disability Living Allowance.
This successful pilot has enhanced the lives of many families, enabling them to take their child to vital appointments, often transporting essential bulky equipment and mobility aids.
Motability has committed to take over funding to continue and accelerate this support. This will help many more families, providing life-changing mobility for those with severely disabled children with significant mobility needs.'
Justin Tomlinson, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work said in the House of Commons:
"When PIP was first introduced, the Government worked with Motability to design a £175 million transitional support package to support Motability scheme customers who have not been awarded the enhanced mobility component on reassessment from DLA to PIP.
Motability announced today that it would provide substantial additional financial support, including £1,000 for customers who lose eligibility for the scheme as a result of a PIP reassessment.
It will also fund grants for personal contributions to the Access to Work scheme and will accelerate the programme that is being undertaken with Family Fund to help many more families with severely disabled children under the age of three."
