Your support package
Read about the support package you’ll get if you’re not eligible for the Motability Scheme anymore because of an unsuccessful DLA to PIP reassessment.
The package you’ll get will help you if you’re not eligible for the Motability Scheme anymore because you’ve had an unsuccessful reassessment.
You should only read it if you joined the Scheme before 1 January 2014. If you joined after 1 January 2014 and you’ve stopped being eligible for the Scheme following a Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) reassessment, you can return your car and we will not receive any more allowance payments from your provider. We'll refund any Advance Payment on a pro-rata basis and you might be eligible for a pro-rata Good Condition Payment.
If you live in Scotland, you’ll still get this package if you’re being reassessed for Adult Disability Payment or PIP for the first time and you’re not awarded it.
You can learn more on the Scottish Government’s website. You’ll see everything under ‘Award reviews’.
Why you’ll get a package
The Government is replacing DLA with PIP. It’s for disabled people aged between 16 and State Pension age.
If you get the higher rate mobility part of PIP you’ll be eligible to join the Scheme in the same way as today.
However, because PIP has different criteria, some people might not qualify for mobility support, or might qualify at a lower level. Those people will not be eligible to join the Scheme anymore, even though their circumstances haven’t changed.
We know that’s an unexpected situation, so you’ll get a one-off package of support and advice about other mobility arrangements. We’ll give this to you if you leave the Scheme because of being reassessed for PIP.
In Scotland, PIP is being replaced with Adult Disability Payment, which will be administered by Social Security Scotland rather than the DWP. If you’re being reassessed for Adult Disability Payment and you have not been reassessed for PIP before, you’ll still get this package if your reassessment is successful.
Read more about why we created the package(opens in a new window)
How and when to give your car back
I’m not eligible anymore. What happens now?
If you’re not awarded the higher rate mobility part or component of your allowance, please contact us as soon as possible to let us know.
As soon as your allowance provider confirms, we’ll write to you with more information that’s specific to you. This will include information about the transitional support package you could get.
We've created a guide to help you think about your mobility options and next steps, including advice on buying a second-hand car, information on insurance, maintenance and other mobility solutions.
Have a car? Download our guide(opens in a new window)
Have a scooter or powered wheelchair? Download our guide(opens in a new window)
How long do I have before I need to give my car back?
The provider will continue to pay your current level of allowance for four weeks after their decision. Once it’s confirmed with us, we’ll write to you to let you know how to return your car.
You can keep your car for eight weeks after your allowance payments stop, to qualify for our full, one-off transitional support package.
To give you more time to think about other arrangements, if you joined the Scheme before the end of 2013 you can choose to keep your car for 26 weeks after your allowance payments stop, but your transitional support payment will be reduced.
If you're in the middle of a mandatory reconsideration with the allowance provider, or you’re appealing their decision, and it's taking longer than the timescales we give you, just let us know and we’ll discuss your options with you.
How will you find out the outcome of my assessment?
The allowance provider will write to us to confirm this. If you’re not awarded the higher rate mobility part or component of your allowance, it’s important you contact us as soon as possible to let us know, so we can start to support you.
Please make sure both us and your allowance provider have your correct contact details so there's no delay if we need to send you information.
I cannot get to my dealer. Will I still get the support payment?
You need to give your car back to a Motability Scheme dealer to qualify for your support package.
This can either be your dealer or, if it's more convenient, you can arrange to return your car to a different Motability Scheme dealer that’s closer to you.
Financial support
How much financial support will I get?
If you joined the Scheme before 31 December 2012 and return your car to the dealer in good condition and within eight weeks of your allowance payments stopping, you’ll be eligible for a one-off £2,000 transitional support payment.
Or you can choose to keep your car for 26 weeks, but your transitional support payment will be reduced to £500.
If you joined the Scheme between January and December 2013, or you re-joined during this time after at least a one-year break, and you return your car to the dealer in good condition and within eight weeks of your allowance payments stopping, you’ll be eligible for a one-off £1,000 transitional support payment.
Or you can choose to keep your car for 26 weeks, but your transitional support payment will be reduced to £250.
If you joined the Scheme from 1 January 2014, or you re-joined the Scheme during this time after at least a one year break, you can return your car and we will not receive any more allowance payments from your provider. We'll refund any Advance Payment on a pro-rata basis and you might be eligible for a pro-rata Good Condition Payment.
Please make sure both us and the allowance provider have your correct contact details so there's no delay if we need to send you information.
If you have a scooter or powered wheelchair and you joined the Scheme before 2014, we’ll give you a support package with advice. We’ll offer you the chance to buy your product, if possible.
We’ll make arrangements to help people with specialised mobility needs, including if you have a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle).
How do I let you know which support payment I want?
If you return your car to your dealer within eight weeks of the date of your last payment, you’ll get the standard payment amount.
If you do not, we’ll assume you’ve decided to keep your car for 26 weeks and we’ll reduce your transitional support payment.
I left the Scheme then re-joined in 2013. What financial support can I get?
If you left the Scheme for one year or more and decided to re-join in 2013, you’re eligible for a one-off £1,000 transitional support payment, as long as you return your car to the dealer in good condition and within eight weeks, you'll get £250 instead.
When will the money reach my account, after I’ve given my car back?
We’ll send you the money by cheque within 14 days of you giving your car back.
If I'm awarded a qualifying allowance in the future, will I need to pay this money back?
If this covers a time when you still had a Scheme vehicle, we’ll ask you to repay any outstanding lease payments to us for this period if you want to re-join or stay on the Scheme.
We do not expect you to pay this back if you're awarded the higher rate mobility part or component of your allowance later, but if you decide to re-join the Scheme within six months of receiving the transitional support package, you’ll need to speak to us to discuss your options.
If you’re awarded the higher rate mobility part or component of your allowance, you might receive a backdated payment from the allowance provider covering the period from when your allowance stopped.
If this covers a time when you still had a Scheme vehicle, we’ll ask you to repay any outstanding lease payments to us for this period if you want to re-join or stay on the Scheme.
Do I need to pay anything if my lease ends early?
We do not apply any extra rental payments or costs if your lease ends early because of a reassessment.
Will I get my Advance Payment back?
If you paid an Advance Payment, we’ll refund this to you on a pro-rata basis. For example, if your lease ended after one year out of three, we’ll refund two-thirds of your Advance Payment.
If you choose to keep your car for 26 weeks, think about how this might affect your pro-rata Advance Payment refund.
I’ve lost my allowance, but not because of a reassessment. Can I get the transitional support payment?
No, the transitional support payment is to support people who got a car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle), scooter or powered wheelchair on the Scheme before 1 January 2014 and had to give it up because of an unsuccessful reassessment for PIP or Adult Disability Payment, for the first time.
If you joined after 1 January 2014 and you’ve stopped being eligible, you can return your car and we will not receive any more allowance payments from your provider. We'll also refund any Advance Payment on a pro-rata basis and you might be eligible for a pro-rata Good Condition Payment.
Is the financial support for everyone who’s left the Scheme because of a reassessment?
No, you need to have been invited to transition to PIP or Adult Disability Payment for the first time, and not have been awarded the higher rate mobility part or component from this reassessment process. Or if you decided not to go through reassessment and you’ve let the allowance provider know, so it can tell us, you’re still eligible.
The amount of financial support you might be eligible for as part of the transitional support package depends on when you first joined the Scheme and the date you return your car.
We recommend you check any dates for sending your reassessment documents to the allowance provider. Please make sure both us and the allowance provider have your correct contact details so there's no delay if we need to send you information.
Our other vehicles, and adaptations
I have a scooter or powered wheelchair on the Scheme. What happens to me?
If you're not awarded the higher rate mobility part or component of your allowance, please contact us as soon as possible to let us know.
As soon as the allowance provider confirms, we’ll write to you with more information specific to your situation.
If you joined the Scheme before 1 January 2014 we'll try to work with you so you can stay in your scooter or powered wheelchair.
If you joined the Scheme after 1 January 2014, you can keep your scooter or powered wheelchair for up to a maximum of eight weeks after your last allowance payment.
Our Staying Mobile after the Motability Scheme guide(opens in a new window) also has useful advice and support to help you.
What happens if I have adaptations?
We’ll help you with the costs of fitting similar adaptations to a non-Scheme vehicle.
We’ll include more information about this in the letter we’ll send you if you're not awarded the higher rate mobility part or component of your allowance.
I have a WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle on the Scheme. How long can I keep it for?
You can keep it for 26 weeks, whenever you joined the Scheme. We’ll work with you to discuss your options.
We’ll include more information about this in the letter we’ll send you if you're not awarded the higher rate mobility part or component of your allowance.
We’ll help you stay mobile
Can you help me find a second-hand car?
We cannot help you find a second-hand car, but the dealer who gave you your Scheme vehicle might be able to help you find one.
Our Staying Mobile after the Motability Scheme guide(opens in a new window) includes advice on buying a second-hand car, insurance, maintenance and other mobility solutions.
I need a car to get out. Where can I find out about other transport?
You can get tips on this from a variety of sources. For example, Disability Rights UK(opens in a new window) and RiDC(opens in a new window) both produce useful guides you may find helpful.
Our Staying Mobile after the Motability Scheme guide(opens in a new window) also has useful resources for advice and support.
Will insurance companies consider my claims history on the Scheme?
Our insurance provider will usually send you a claims history letter. If you want to ask for a copy of your claims history letter for yourself or a driver, you can do this in your Motability Scheme online account or call 0300 037 3737.
Autonet(opens in a new window) are a leading UK insurance broker. They’ll offer insurance quotes that will recognise your no-claims history on the Scheme.
