People on PIP with enhanced mobility rate have until Friday to claim £750 one-off payment

Linda Howard
·5-min read

The Motability Scheme enables people on disability benefits to exchange all or part of their qualifying weekly mobility allowance (£75.75) for a brand-new car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair, so they can enjoy more freedom and independence. Many people who may have had the higher mobility rates of qualifying benefits for some time, or new claimants, may not be aware of a £750 payment available to those leasing a vehicle from the Motability Scheme for the first time.

However, the New Vehicle Payment is ending on January 3, 2025 for first-time claimants, but does not affect existing lease holders who have not had the New Vehicle Payment - they will get it with their next car, even if that’s after the deadline on Friday. The latest figures from Motability show there are around 800,000 customers across the UK with an estimated 10 per cent of those - some 80,000 - living in Scotland.

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The scheme is available to those on the higher rate mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Child Disability Payment (CDP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP).

The New Vehicle Payment for cars and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles and is only available once per customer.

People can choose to send the money directly to the dealer to help towards an Advance Payment, or have it paid in full to themselves after they get their vehicle.

The payment was due to end for new customers on December 31, 2024, however, Motability Operations extended it until January 3 to "give you a final chance to order your first car if your dealer is closed over the festive period".

You can check online to see if you are eligible for the £750 payment using the Motability Scheme’s tool here.

While leasing a vehicle through the Motability Scheme, or the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme, as it’s known for people in Scotland on devolved disability benefits, some vehicles require an advance payment.

It’s important to note that both these schemes are operated by Motability Operations Ltd and follow the same eligibility guidelines.

It’s called a New Product Payment for scooters and powered wheelchairs, and it’s £100 instead - people get this after their new equipment has been delivered.

Motability advises that you cannot get both the New Vehicle Payment and the New Product Payment.

The Motability Scheme currently has over 1,000 cars, including over 50 that require no advance payment, which means the £750 New Vehicle Payment would go directly to the claimant.

People can choose a lease that uses all of their mobility allowance - this is known as a variable lease. Full details on the latest updates to the price list can be found on the Motability website here.

Electric Vehicles

Guidance on the website states: “As manufacturers move their attention to electric vehicles (EVs), we’re able to bring more choice to the Scheme. Their change in focus means that some petrol and many diesel models are being phased out."

Some of the electric cars in the latest list include models with Advance Payments under £1,000.

What else is included in the lease?

You will get a brand-new vehicle, and a full package which includes:

  • Insurance

  • Servicing and maintenance

  • Full RAC breakdown assistance

  • Yearly tax

  • Three drivers - you can change these whenever you like

  • Kwik Fit replacement tyres

  • Windscreen repair or replacement

  • 60,000 mileage allowance over three years, or 100,000 for WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicles

  • Many adaptations at no extra cost

Full details on the Motability Scheme can be found on the website here.

Below is a quick guide on the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme and how to swap all or part of your mobility payment to lease a vehicle.

How the new scheme works

Social Security Scotland guidelines state: “When you lease a vehicle through the scheme, it will be with our authorised provider, Motability Operations Ltd.”

Social Security Scotland will help you pay the lease using all or part of either:

  • the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment - £75.75

  • the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment - £75.75

Applying to lease a vehicle for yourself

You can apply to lease a vehicle yourself if you meet all of the following:

  • You get the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment or the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment

  • You are 16 or over

  • You are able to manage your own payments

Applying to lease a vehicle on someone’s behalf

Social Security Scotland also advises that you may be able to apply to lease a vehicle on behalf of someone else.

This might be an option if you're either:

  • A parent or guardian of a child receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment

  • An appointee for someone who is receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment or enhanced rate of the mobility component of Adult Disability Payment

How to apply

To apply to lease a vehicle using the scheme, go to the Motability website where you can:

  • Choose a vehicle

  • Find a dealership

When visiting a dealership, you need to present your certificate of entitlement. Social Security Scotland states that you will find this included in your decision award letter.

Find out more about Adult Disability Payment and leasing an accessible vehicle on the mygov.scot website here.

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