Around 102,000 DLA claimants have lost their Motability vehicles after PIP reassessment. In its recent newsletter, Motability says: “The number of Motability Scheme customers leasing a car continues to grow and is currently at 633,000, with renewal rates remaining steady. The number of customers leasing a powered wheelchair or scooter has also grown and is currently at 17,000. Take up among PIP qualifiers remains slightly lower than those in receipt of DLA. To date, over 235,000 new PIP recipients have joined the Motability scheme, with a further 192,000 customers migrating from DLA to PIP.”
However, Motability adds that: “Just under 102,000 customers have had unsuccessful assessments; the failure rate remains at around 35%. The DWP still expects to finish reassessments for PIP by March 2020.”
Ken Butler DRUK’s Welfare Rights Advice and Policy Officer said: “The numbers that have lost their Motability vehicles claiming PIP is a scandal. But the true picture of despair caused by PIP is even more shocking given that only a third of DLA claimants used their mobility award to take part in the Motability Scheme. So, at least a further 204,000 disabled people will have lost vital support, making it harder for many to access work, leisure and other independent living opportunities.
“To its credit, Motability has regularly updated the numbers of DLA customers lost to the Scheme, in contrast with the DWP which has been silent on the issue of how many DLA claimants have lost their higher mobility awards.
“The key reason for the loss of mobility support has been the introduction of the ‘20 metre rule’ in PIP assessments. Under DLA, someone was awarded the highest mobility rate if they could not walk 50 metres. The distance of 20 metres is an arbitrary figure that lacks an evidence base and is barring many thousands of disabled people who need the benefit the most. PIP needs urgent reform to restore the 50 metre benchmark.”
For more information see Motability’s latest customer numbers and a PIP update.