Post by Beryl on Dec 10, 2010 15:13:17 GMT
Mobility Component:
If a person has difficulties with walking and this situation will continue for more than 3 months then they may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance Mobility Component. People who may qualify will include those who experience pain after only walking a short distance; breathlessness: who experience dizzy periods; people who have to use a walking aid: people who are wheelchair users, etc.
A person who requires an escort to ensure their safety but who have no physical problems with walking may also be entitled to claim the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance. This may include people who feel anxious or panic when they are out; who loose their way; who have cognitive impairment; who are blind or deaf; who have a dibilitating mental illness, etc. People who require escorts may be awarded the lower rate of the benefit.
It is awarded for long term impairment only. If someone has just broken their leg they will not be able to claim this benefit as their leg will heal within the 3 month period. However, a person can apply for the benefit before 3 months has passed.
The person has to apply before their 65th birthday and be over the age of 3 years old.
The benefit is not income related and is only assessed on the degree of disability that someone has. If awarded it will not have a negative affect on income related benefits and may even increase the amount someone can get in the form of a disability premium.
The associated application form can be stressful for the disabled person to fill in as its emphasis is on what is difficult for the person to achieve and what someone cannot do.
There are 2 levels of benefit: Low and High. The amounts paid until March 2011 are £18.95 and £49.85 respectively.
If someone is awarded the higher level of the Mobility Component then they will be entitled to apply for other provision as well:
Blue Badge Scheme:
A person will be able to apply for a blue badge/disabled car badge from the local authority. The award of the higher level is generally seen as adequate proof of entitlement and a copy of the award will be requested on application. If someone is not on the higher rate then they may still be able to get a blue badge but this will usually only be awarded with further medical evidence of entitlement from a doctor. A blue badge must only be used in a car when the disabled driver or passenger is in the vehicle.
London Congestion Charge:
A person with a blue badge can apply for exemption from paying the congestion charge when in London. The person can apply for this on line: There is a one off charge of £10.
Road Tax Exemption:
If a person is awarded the higher rate of the Mobility Component then they will be able to apply to the Disability Living Allowance department for a Road Tax Exemption Certificate. They then need to take this to the Post Office with the other documentation needed to get a Tax Disc for the car and the Post Office will issue a free tax disc for display. The car which the tax disc is displayed in must be used by the disabled person either as the driver or a passenger or used solely for the benefit of the disabled person.
Motability:
If a person receives the high rate of Mobility Component they will be able to apply for a car under a scheme called Motability. Motability is an attempt to make car ownership more affordable to the disabled person and there are no unexpected costs such as repair bills to worry about. The car must be used for the benefit of the disabled person even if they are not always a passenger or driver of the vehicle. There are hundreds of car models on the scheme from small saloons to large people carriers and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles. Some cars just involve paying the Mobility Component each week: bigger models will have a down payment to pay as well as the weekly benefit. The down payment is graded depending on size and model of the car. The contract is for 3 years or 5 years depending on the model and under the scheme the car is insured for 2 named drivers. A third driver can be added at a nominal yearly charge or if the person requires care over a 24 hour period they can apply for an 'any driver over 18 years' insurance. The car will be serviced and repaired for free but if it is in an accident the disabled person will have to pay an excess of £75 before the insurance pays for the balance of the damage.
The first step to applying for a Motability car would be to assess which car meets the needs of the person and what adaptations may be needed for the person to get into the vehicle and if applicable to drive the vehicle. This may be a simple task of just assessing the size and personal preference of the person or it may need a professional assessment. Professional assessments can be got from an Occupational Therapist who specialises in transport or at one of the National Mobility Centres which provide driver and passenger assessments.
The second step is to locate a garage that is registered under the Motability Scheme. There are now hundreds of garages Nationwide that are part of the scheme. The designated worker within the garage will then be able to address all of the issues from then on from order to delivery.
If a person has difficulties with walking and this situation will continue for more than 3 months then they may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance Mobility Component. People who may qualify will include those who experience pain after only walking a short distance; breathlessness: who experience dizzy periods; people who have to use a walking aid: people who are wheelchair users, etc.
A person who requires an escort to ensure their safety but who have no physical problems with walking may also be entitled to claim the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance. This may include people who feel anxious or panic when they are out; who loose their way; who have cognitive impairment; who are blind or deaf; who have a dibilitating mental illness, etc. People who require escorts may be awarded the lower rate of the benefit.
It is awarded for long term impairment only. If someone has just broken their leg they will not be able to claim this benefit as their leg will heal within the 3 month period. However, a person can apply for the benefit before 3 months has passed.
The person has to apply before their 65th birthday and be over the age of 3 years old.
The benefit is not income related and is only assessed on the degree of disability that someone has. If awarded it will not have a negative affect on income related benefits and may even increase the amount someone can get in the form of a disability premium.
The associated application form can be stressful for the disabled person to fill in as its emphasis is on what is difficult for the person to achieve and what someone cannot do.
There are 2 levels of benefit: Low and High. The amounts paid until March 2011 are £18.95 and £49.85 respectively.
If someone is awarded the higher level of the Mobility Component then they will be entitled to apply for other provision as well:
Blue Badge Scheme:
A person will be able to apply for a blue badge/disabled car badge from the local authority. The award of the higher level is generally seen as adequate proof of entitlement and a copy of the award will be requested on application. If someone is not on the higher rate then they may still be able to get a blue badge but this will usually only be awarded with further medical evidence of entitlement from a doctor. A blue badge must only be used in a car when the disabled driver or passenger is in the vehicle.
London Congestion Charge:
A person with a blue badge can apply for exemption from paying the congestion charge when in London. The person can apply for this on line: There is a one off charge of £10.
Road Tax Exemption:
If a person is awarded the higher rate of the Mobility Component then they will be able to apply to the Disability Living Allowance department for a Road Tax Exemption Certificate. They then need to take this to the Post Office with the other documentation needed to get a Tax Disc for the car and the Post Office will issue a free tax disc for display. The car which the tax disc is displayed in must be used by the disabled person either as the driver or a passenger or used solely for the benefit of the disabled person.
Motability:
If a person receives the high rate of Mobility Component they will be able to apply for a car under a scheme called Motability. Motability is an attempt to make car ownership more affordable to the disabled person and there are no unexpected costs such as repair bills to worry about. The car must be used for the benefit of the disabled person even if they are not always a passenger or driver of the vehicle. There are hundreds of car models on the scheme from small saloons to large people carriers and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles. Some cars just involve paying the Mobility Component each week: bigger models will have a down payment to pay as well as the weekly benefit. The down payment is graded depending on size and model of the car. The contract is for 3 years or 5 years depending on the model and under the scheme the car is insured for 2 named drivers. A third driver can be added at a nominal yearly charge or if the person requires care over a 24 hour period they can apply for an 'any driver over 18 years' insurance. The car will be serviced and repaired for free but if it is in an accident the disabled person will have to pay an excess of £75 before the insurance pays for the balance of the damage.
The first step to applying for a Motability car would be to assess which car meets the needs of the person and what adaptations may be needed for the person to get into the vehicle and if applicable to drive the vehicle. This may be a simple task of just assessing the size and personal preference of the person or it may need a professional assessment. Professional assessments can be got from an Occupational Therapist who specialises in transport or at one of the National Mobility Centres which provide driver and passenger assessments.
The second step is to locate a garage that is registered under the Motability Scheme. There are now hundreds of garages Nationwide that are part of the scheme. The designated worker within the garage will then be able to address all of the issues from then on from order to delivery.