Crazy benefits system need an overhaul

I agree with all that has been said about the need for mobility cars. However I do think that sometimes the benefit is being abused. A friend of mine had a mobility car, a Passat. Neither of them had visible disabiliteis, but the husband had a heart problem so the car was justified. However, when the car arrived one of the first things they did was to book a holiday in france, with the husband ( with the heart condition) driving all the way to southern france and back!!

Rosina - the motability scheme costs the government nothing. They are not involved in purchasing any cars.

Here for the facts: www.motability.org.uk/3._How_the_Motability_Scheme_is_funded.pdf

Mobility has a cost to the State - but it's exactly the same cost whether or not someone uses the matobility scheme

It used to be something like a 22% discount on the price of a jag for employees...but that was a few years ago....but good point Cleo

Majorcagirl - he may be able to drive and not walk?

The threashold for receiving enhanced rate PIP is very high and requires a lot of evidence. It really isn't a case of being a little bit ill and getting one.

Higher rate mobility DLA had a lower threshold which is why so many cars are being handed back each week.

Does PIP apply to pensioners?

Sounds from what you are saying your friend was exaggerating.

My husband bought a 2nd hand Volkswagen Golf that had been a mobility car. It was very basic but had plenty of space for wheelchairs etc and would not be that price new.

I should add cars being handed back is causing a lot of problems for many.

Disability benefits have the lowest rate of fraud for any benefit - (very low) - and yet somehow disabled people have come to be seen as scroungers or the Ines bringing the country to its knees (many actual economists would argue Tory austerity is doing a good job of destroying the economy itself).

The rise in hate crime towards the most vulnerable is very worrying. And ignorant and incorrect believes such as those seen presented as fact by some on this thread is in part to blame.

You can claim PIP as a pensioner providing you started to claim before 65. You can't put a claim in after turning 65.

Sorry more accurately you can't put a first claim in (although you can convert from DLA to PIP after 65 providing DLA was claimed before turning 65). Think that is right.

And another thing, how much has the British government ploughed into JLR to keep Mr Poly (and thousands of other workers) in a job? That's taxpayers' money BTW.

I can't credit that anyone can believe it wrong that their acquaintance has a car under the Motability Scheme now it has been so clearly explained by those above. It is NOT easy to qualify for a car under this scheme and the choice is limited by the nature of the disability. Many deserving people have already lost their cars because the requirements to qualify for the scheme have become much more restrictive recently.
I'm sure there must have been some misunderstanding or exaggeration during the conversation which prompted the original post.

durhamjen I have no issue in those who have reduced quality of life obtaining the benefits and means to give them a quality of life enjoyed by the able bodied.
I am not alone however in witnessing those who milk the system left right and centre and give a bad name to those who need help.
I have, two doors away from me. a perfect example of a 'milker'.A young woman maybe late twenties early thirties with a state benefit car, allegedly has a 'bone problem' can't recall the medical name , has produced three kids?? no difficulty there.No idea of the father and now has another guy with no doubt another sprog on the way. She looks pretty active to me bellowing at the kids and no hardship walking up the road when needs be to fetch the kids in.How do they get away with it.?They obviously know something I don't and appear to be getting away with it.

Poly580. It makes me so angry when people as ignorant as you clearly are go spouting forth on a subject which they know nothing about. Having just spent the last months fighting and dealing with morons at the DWP to get the pittance my Husband is entitled to, having spoken with many disabled people in relation to the book I am writing, hearing truly heartbreaking stories,then to see your ignorant post. Well words fail me. At least any appropriate to put on here. Shame on you!!

The DWP estimated the fraud rate for DLA to be 0.5% The idea that there are thousands of people swanning around in notability cars because they pretended to have a limp is simply wrong.

sarahellenwhitney

1) She PAYS for her car. It's not free!
2) 'They obviously know something I don't.' Yeah you're right there.
3) Her illness is none of your business.

GAD what is it with this denigration of disabled people?

Sad to see a lot of ad hominem insults in this thread. Whilst there are many who find the Motability scheme a great boon, and of course, almost all would rather be able-bodied, there are 'users' and charlatans out there. There is one person in my extended family who has Borderline Personality Disorder. She is about to get her third Motability vehicle. Every time a clinician challenges her, she threatens suicide and makes formal complaints, so always gets what she wants. It is not good for her, and she ends up making ever greater demands, but no-one dares to call her on it. She is not alone; she belongs to on-line groups for 'borderliners' who share tips on this very thing. She has shown us these and when my late husband asked if she thought the world owed her a living, she said "yes". The question is, is a very expensive car a suitable treatment for a personality disorder? If you think this is rare, this young woman has been described as being at the extreme end, but BPD is diagnosed in 1% of the population, and if you add to that people who are simply dishonest and selfish, we have a problem which takes money away from people who are genuinely disabled.

My daughter is disabled and works full time. She qualifies for the Motobility Scheme and does have a car - without it she would not be able to get to her job and would have to stop working. She is a single mother (not from choice, ex son in law walked out) and she works hard to provide for my three grandchildren. She has to use the money she was awarded for her lack of mobility to pay monthly for the car. She also had to find the deposit needed. Believe me, she would much rather be fully mobile than need to go through all the hoops needed to prove she is disabled, it isn't easy. I remember the old single seater disabled cars - yes, they certainly were a boon at the time given that there was nothing before them but my daughter has to do the school run with three children (born before she became disabled before anyone says she shouldn't have had children)- a single seater vehicle would not be of any use to her. She also needs space for her wheelchair and her crutches. People who use the Motobility Scheme did not set it up - the cars are heavily discounted (just like for any business) and have to be returned (or purchased at market value) if you no longer qualify or the lease term expires..

I think the PO here is saying that people who work cannot afford cars like this. We all know people who have Disability Cars and don't really need them. Walk with a stick which, when convenient, can be dispensed with. I know this will cause a lot of you to shout. The minute anything is cut back and say the choice of vehicle was reduced. There would be a hue and cry from a certain group. Someone has to pay for this and it is the ordinary working person.

Marieelez please educate yourself

The DWP estimate of fraud rate for DLA was 0.5%. I know many people with notability cars - none who don't need that scar.

And the cost of the car makes no difference to the cost to the State!

Why can people not understand this really simple fact. It makes no difference to anyone's finances except those of the disabled person if they drive around in a cheap or expensive car.

Well if I was disabled and had the choice of a top of the range car, or to be able bodied, I know which I would choose.........As others on here have said, I would urge people to stop being so mean spirited. There's so much more to get enraged about if you need to.

My son's car is due for renewal - we've gone for the 7 seater Vauxhall zafira. The 7 seater seat Alhambra would have been a better match for him but he/we can't afford the advance payment for that one. So like anyone we have chosen what he can afford. (He doesn't have capacity so I have to choose).

The cost to the State would be the same with either car (or any car on the Motability scheme).

I can understand your shock of getting a £47.000 volo. In 1998 I had the higher disability payment and for that I was allowed my choice of a Zafira, l have 3 children. But the basic model and not the full choice of colours. So, do you think they are telling you a few porkies to make it sound better to make you feel envious. People do like to make you feel jealous, keeping up with jone's etc: Let them have their car and continue to be caring and thoughtful for others as you sound as if you do.

I think the OP has admitted she was wrong in her original post and yet she is still receiving abuse. I am all in favour of help being given to those who need it, such as those listed on this thread, but I think it would be naive to suggest there isn't any fraudulent use. I have a friend whose neighbour has a mobility car, she is disabled and is fully entitled to it, yet it is her family who use the car not her. If she needs to go see a doctor or to the hospital she either gets a taxi or asks my friend to take her in her car. When my friend asked if the family would be leaving the mobility car she was told no because they needed it to get to work. Now I appreciate this probably isn't that common but I think when neighbours see this sort of thing happening that is when complaints about mobility cars start.

We don't all know someone who abuses the system. I certainly don't know anybody who does that.

I do know that I worked and paid my dues from the age of 15. National Insurance is just that....an insurance in case you need help. Lucky people won't need any help. The less fortunate will. I get ESA and PIP. You have to jump through hoops to get it and continue to jump through hoops to keep it whilst the system is set up to deny you or withdraw it.

I suggest your friend reports her neighbours family!

Everything you said is again at the rules which have recently been revamped.

I reported a neighbour of my daughter for the exact same thing it's illegal to use a Motability car for the purposes mentioned. It's not enough to moan about it, if you're concerned report it . You're doing the right thing in my opinion

Nezumi65 - thanks for that information, I wasn't aware of the finer details of the funding, but however the money comes, as others have said, given the choice of car and a life of pain and disability, or good health and bike - what would we all choose?