Research carried out by ITV News has shown that over one in three disabled people with a Motability car has had it taken away from them when they transferred from disability living allowance (DLA) to personal independence payment (PIP).{jcomments on}
According to ITV’s research, out of 8,000 Motability car users who have been assessed for PIP, 3,000 have been found not to qualify for the enhanced rate of the Pip mobility component and thus lost their car.
According to Motability, no one with a terminal illness has had their Motability car taken from them and only three of the cars so far were adapted for a wheelchair.
The DWP gave ITV a statement arguing that:
“We have worked closely with Motability to ensure that support is available to people leaving the Scheme following PIP reassessment.
"Motability have agreed that the majority of people will be eligible for a one-off payment of £2,000, which will help ensure their mobility needs continue to be met.”
In reality, an award of just £2,000 is extremely unlikely to be a long-term solution for people with very restricted mobility.
When, in December 2012, the DWP produced their final version of the PIP points system they suddenly revealed that the maximum distance you need to be able to walk to qualify for enhanced rate mobility had been slashed from 50 metres to 20 metres.
The DWP tried to argue that because issues such as safely, reliably and repeatedly and in a reasonable time period would have to be taken into account, then the reduction in the walking distance would have limited effect on claimants.
The figures from Motability reveal just how untrue that claim was.
