Small step forward for Motability

Since the introduction of Personal Independence Payments (PIP), Parkinson's UK has been very concerned about the number of people forced to return Motability vehicles they've had for years - only to get them back again when they appeal the decision.

Now, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that people will be able to keep their car for up to 26 weeks after benefit payments stop. Read more about the announcement on Motability's website. 

While this may seem like a positive development, we're seriously concerned that 26 weeks may not be sufficient for people with Parkinson's to hear the outcome of their appeal. And people face losing money if their appeal is unsuccessful.

Risks to payments

People with Parkinson's will be able to keep their Motability cars for a minimum of 8 weeks and up to 6 months while they appeal PIP decisions.

However, the 'transitional support payment' they receive if they're re-assessed as ineligible for Motability will be reduced by 3 quarters to between £250 and £500 depending on when they joined the scheme.

To challenge a PIP decision, a person must first request Mandatory Reconsideration. Only when the DWP has reconsidered the decision can they seek an appeal, which takes around 20 weeks at present.

Dianne, who has Parkinson's, explains the impact of losing her car:

"I was absolutely gobsmacked. It took my independence away totally."

However, Dianne successfully appealed the decision 6 months later:

"I burst out crying and so did my son. We were just so relieved."

No reassurance

Senior Policy and Campaigns Adviser Phil Reynolds said:

"Although it's a small step in the right direction, this announcement won't give people with Parkinson's the reassurance they desperately need.

"Under these changes, people with Parkinson's face losing the majority of their payment if their appeal isn't successful and the long waits mean they may lose their car before the outcome is even known.

"The government's priority needs to be fixing the broken assessment criteria so people with Parkinson's get the right decision first time, and don't face losing their cars in the first place."

Speaking out on PIP failures

Parkinson's UK continues to campaign for major improvements to PIP.

On Tuesday 2 May we spoke out over shocking figures which show that thousands of people have gone from receiving absolutely no money to making successful claims when they appeal decisions.

Help us make PIP work

Find out more about our campaign to stop disability benefit cuts, and how you can get involved.

If you have any questions about applying for PIP, please call our helpline on 0808 800 0303.