CAS response to How public funds can be used to support the mobility needs of disabled people consultation

Summary

• The Motability scheme is very popular amongst CAB clients who receive support from it, as seen by the impact it can have if a person loses entitlement to it.

• Access to the Motability scheme is particularly important in remote rural areas of Scotland, where car access is essential so that people with mobility impairments are not left housebound.

• The impacts of the loss of a Motability vehicle have included an increase in stress and detrimental impacts on health, a loss of independence and the prospect of accruing debt due to unaffordability of a car outwith the Motability scheme.

• There is demand from people who receive the lower mobility rate of PIP, or who receive Attendance Allowance to access the Motability scheme.

CAS recommends:

• The transitional support arrangements, that allow people to continue leasing a Motability vehicle for 26 weeks after their last DLA or PIP payment has been received, should be continued and extended to people who first joined the scheme after 2014.

• People should not be required to return a Motability vehicle until at least eight weeks after any reconsideration and appeals process against a PIP decision has concluded.

• People who receive the standard mobility rate of PIP or DLA, and people who receive Attendance Allowance should also be allowed to access the Motability scheme.