I find myself going into this big explanation of the true cost of my car. Some people still don’t fully understand.
The changes around the upcoming Welfare Reform has stirred the topic up again with people asking should Taxpayers be funding non-working people’s car, without truly comprehending what they are talking about.
I am going to explain to you, the true cost of my Motability car, not because I feel I owe it to anyone, but because I want people to understand just how much people with disabilities put in to these cars.
Firstly, are these cars free? Simple answer, No!
In order to qualify for a car, you must have enough points on the mobility part of the Personal Independence Allowance assessment to get enhanced rate.
This benefit is not means tested. Many have argued is this fair. As you will see below the cost of some of these cars would be too far beyond reach for so many it would be difficult to find a cut off point in my opinion.
Once you’re awarded the enhanced rate, currently £77.05 we can trade for a car. No matter the car, big, small or medium the whole amount is given up.
However, our biggest expense, and this is not funded by our allowance or by Motability, is our Advanced Payment. Think of it like a deposit but you don’t get it back.
When you are getting a new car every 3 years or 5 if it is a wheelchair accessible vehicle, these amounts can start to add up. If you go for a smaller can a Toyota Ago for example, then the advanced payment is zero. Meaning, you pay you monthly allowance only.
It still does not mean the car is free. That is money given to people with disabilities to get around as we struggle with our mobility. If not used for a car, it can be used for other things such as hiring a new wheelchair, or taxi’s to get around.
Now, if we look to the bigger cars, such as the one I need to accommodate my needs, I am looking at a van. For me, the cost of an advanced payment with no adaptions in the car starts at £15,000.
My driving licence states I have to drive with certain controls including hand controls. These don’t come cheap and easily add another £5,000 on top.
£15,000 for a car, that in 5 years-time I will have to hand back and then find again for another.
Some have to find as much as £35,000 plus.
Please do not get me wrong, I am in no way ungrateful, as I would never be able to afford my car off the scheme, but this is what I am trying to show.
For myself and so many others out there, this scheme is a lifeline. It’s our independence, our access to work and our link to the outside world.
We have to find ways to pay this money, whether it be through grants, fund raising or through our hard-earned cash and savings but in no way free.
So next time you think about asking ‘do disabled people get a free car, or is it fair taxpayers are paying for it,’ think how much they are giving up, because for most it is not just the money they have lost.
