Mobility Car Or Mobility Money....

[trt]

I have been told today, that you can have either one of the two?

Thanks,

[hc4361]

That has always been the case, trt. You can spend your allowance however you like and a mobility car is one of the options.

[hc4361]

You have to get the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA, or the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP to qualify for Motability

[hc4361]

Or the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement

[EDDIE51]

Yes the amount is around £420 for 4 weeks, You can have a car and still get £220 cash or have the whole £420 to use for taxis bus train or what ever.

[hc4361]

Or fags, booze and the bookies :D

[trt]

Thanks for the quick replies, but forgot to say that would it affect the lower attendance allowance, I receive.

[hc4361]

No, no affect at all

[EDDIE51]

Mobility payments are not classed as income. So they do not affect any income related benefits .

[trt]

Thanks folks, will have to have a word with them tomorrow, as Social Service told me that I couldn't.

[hc4361]

What exactly did the SS tell you?

[hc4361]

Just a second, what benefits do you currently receive?

[EDDIE51]

Things are changing trt . Now any new applicant for DLA (disabled living allowance) which was the allowance that got you the car or cash has to apply for PIP ( Personal Independence Payment) instead. PIP is higher but I hear reports that it is harder to get. As hc4361 says we really need to know what benefits you currently get. If there is a CAB near you I very strongly recommend that you ask them to do a benefit check for you, to be sure you are getting everything you are entitled to. They are VERY good but demand is high so you need to get in and get an appointment.

[Buenchico]

Relevant discussion here
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=320727
and here
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=135643

[trt]

I am 72yrs old.
Three years ago having a fall, I fractured my Femur, had to have a new hip, caught pneumonia, and was diagnosed with COPD.

I was in hospital for a month, and on coming out, I had a carer 2 times daily, 7 days a week, and the higher Attendance Allowance, which last year went down to the lower, £50.00 a week.

I have been in hospital three more times with COPD since, and find it more difficult walking more than 5/8 yards without having to stop for breath.
I have a carer once a day for 30 minutes, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, which I have to pay £21.00 towards.

My total income is approx £250.00 a week, and my rent & Council Tax is paid for.

I have to pay for a gardener, cleaner, window cleaner, home chiropodist visit, and taxis for emergency shopping.

Thanks for link Chris, will look later.

[EDDIE51]

Definately get the CAB to check exactly what you are entitled to. I would say you should still be getting the higher attendance allowance.
I do not know your circumstances but is a move to ' assisted living' accommodation a possibility at all ?

[THECORBYLOON]

Attendance Allowance cannot be used for the Mobility scheme unfortunately.

[THECORBYLOON]

I meant Motability, not Mobility.

[Postdog]

Is a car necessary? You sound in a state to me. No offence meant, as I am too. I am on PIP and actually entitled to a car, but I know it would be a waste through lack of use. To be honest, I also consider my problem to be prohibitive for safe driving.

All of which is long winded way of saying would a mobility scooter do you?

[EDDIE51]

Postdog you can have a designated driver, you do not have to drive the car yourself. I know that a car is not the answer for a lot of people, they can use the cash to pay for taxis, lifts and having things delivered. You can get a mobility scooter and still keep a large part of the allowance as cash , more than you keep with a car.

[furrypusscat]

You can only get High Rate Mobility Allowance either through DLA or the new award PIP, either of which must have been awarded up to the age of 65. Provided you received the allowance by then and you still qualify there is no problem. However as said earlier, you cannot just apply for a mobility car, you must be receiving one of the two benefits above as attendance allowance does not qualify you for mobility allowance.