Should older people with mobility issues be allowed to lease a car through the Motability Scheme using Attendance Allowance? That’s the big question now facing the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), as pressure mounts to reconsider how this benefit supports disabled pensioners who struggle to get around.
Background
Right now, Attendance Allowance doesn’t include a mobility component—unlike Personal Independence Payment (PIP). And that means people receiving Attendance Allowance are excluded from the Motability Scheme, which helps disabled people lease a new car, mobility scooter, or powered wheelchair using their benefit payments.
More than 815,000 people across the UK currently use the Motability Scheme. But none of them are Attendance Allowance claimants. That’s sparked fresh calls to expand access to the scheme for older people with substantial mobility needs.
Proposal
Labour MP Mohammad Yasin recently raised this issue in Parliament, asking the DWP to explore whether Attendance Allowance recipients could also be given access to the Motability Scheme. The idea is simple: older people who can no longer walk unaided deserve just as much help getting around as younger people receiving PIP.
However, the response from the DWP was clear. In a written statement, the department said Attendance Allowance “has never included a mobility component” and therefore cannot be used toward a leased Motability vehicle.
DWP Response
Social Security and Disability Minister Sir Stephen Timms confirmed that only certain benefits qualify for the Motability Scheme. These include:
- Enhanced rate mobility component of PIP
- Enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)
- Higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
He added that although Attendance Allowance can’t be used to lease a vehicle, recipients are free to spend the benefit on other mobility aids—such as mobility scooters or private transportation.
Eligibility
To qualify for the Motability Scheme (or the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme in Scotland), a person must be receiving one of the following mobility allowances and have at least 12 months remaining on their award:
| Mobility Benefit | Qualifying Rate |
|---|---|
| PIP | Enhanced mobility rate |
| ADP (Scotland) | Enhanced mobility rate |
| DLA | Higher mobility rate |
| CDP (Scotland) | Higher mobility rate |
| Scottish Adult DLA | Higher mobility rate |
| AFIP | Standard |
| WPMS | Standard |
According to guidance from the Motability Scheme, if you receive Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), you cannot apply for the scheme.
Lease Package
For those who do qualify, the Motability Scheme provides a full leasing package that includes:
- Insurance for up to three drivers (changeable anytime)
- RAC breakdown assistance
- Servicing and maintenance
- Annual road tax
- Kwik Fit tyre replacement
- Windscreen repair or replacement
- 60,000-mile limit over 3 years (or 100,000 for wheelchair-accessible vehicles)
But it’s worth noting—this isn’t a “free car.” Many users pay an upfront advance fee, which can range anywhere from £100 to £2,000, depending on the model or adaptations needed.
Future Concerns
Adding to the uncertainty, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering removing tax relief on the Motability leasing programme in the Autumn Budget on November 26. If this goes ahead, it could make leasing a vehicle much more expensive for disabled individuals who already struggle with everyday costs.
Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has publicly urged the UK Government to scrap any planned VAT or insurance tax increases related to the Motability Scheme. She warns that such changes could hit the most vulnerable hardest.
The Debate
The core issue here is one of fairness. Why should someone’s age disqualify them from the same support available to others with identical mobility issues?
Many feel that Attendance Allowance is outdated when it comes to addressing the real-life needs of pensioners. While the benefit does help with care or supervision, it doesn’t account for independent travel or access to mobility vehicles.
Allowing Attendance Allowance to include a mobility component—or creating a separate mobility support system for older people—could be a game-changer for thousands who currently feel left behind.
Only time will tell if the DWP listens and rethinks the way mobility support is structured for older generations.
FAQs
Can Attendance Allowance be used for Motability?
No, it doesn’t include a mobility component, so it’s not eligible.
What benefits qualify for Motability?
PIP, ADP, DLA, CDP, AFIP, and WPMS with mobility components.
Can older people get mobility help?
Yes, but not through Motability unless they qualify via PIP or DLA.
Is a car free on the Motability Scheme?
No, most vehicles require an upfront advance payment.
What’s included in a Motability lease?
Insurance, servicing, breakdown cover, tax, tyres, and repairs.
