Finance
Motability
If you receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement you can take advantage of the Motability scheme. This was set up by the Government in 1977 and allows people to use these allowances to meet the cost of a car, powered wheelchair or scooter, through contract hire or hire purchase schemes. These schemes are outlined below.
The big recent change is that the Motability Contract Hire scheme will now cover, or contribute to, the cost of adaptations, as well as providing the car. Motability has a long list of 'approved' adaptations available, with costs attached - many are available at no extra cost over that of the vehicle.
If you need something outside this list, Motability administer a number of funds (see below) which may be able to help.
Motability Contract Hire Scheme
You use your Mobility Allowance to lease a new car from Motability for three years (five years for a wheelchair accessible vehicle). Maintenance and servicing costs, comprehensive insurance for up to two drivers and RAC breakdown assistance are included. You can choose a model from a wide range of manufacturers. If you choose one that is more expensive than is covered by the Mobility Allowance, you may have to make an advance payment. This ranges from around £10 to over ten thousand pounds, depending on the car and the allowance you get. Motability aim to offer at least 200 cars which require no advance payment - including some wheelchair accessible vehicles. There are also cars available which will leave you with something left over. If you travel more than 20,000 miles a year, you will be charged from 5p for each extra mile. If you need an adaptation it must be supplied and fitted by a Motability accredited supplier.
Motability Hire Purchase Scheme
With this scheme you use the Higher Rate Mobility Component to buy the car. This is done over two, three or five years for a used vehicle and over four or five years for a new one. There are no restrictions on mileage or on what the vehicle is used for. As the car is yours once the hire purchase term has been completed, you can keep it for as long as you like and do not have to remove any adaptations if you sell.
Grants
You can apply to Motability for financial help. They administer a number of government funds as well as having their own Charitable Fund. They can be provided for such things as adaptations, advance payments on more expensive vehicles and driving lessons. You have to provide details of your circumstances which will be checked. Motability can only help towards the least expensive suitable solution to your needs. For more information contact Motability directly:
Motability
Motability Operations
City Gate House
22 Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HB
Tel: 0845 456 4566
Textphone: 0845 675 0009
www.motability.co.uk
If you do not qualify for the scheme you may be able to find other sources of funding. It may be worth approaching charities or grant giving organisations in your local area. See Other sources of finance.
If you are buying a car with the intention of having controls fitted, it may be worth your while to consider buying a new car rather than a secondhand one as you may not have to pay VAT on the new vehicle in these circumstances. For more information follow this link.
Other sources of finance
Charities
Some charities give grants to individuals.
- Your local library should be able to help you find sources, such as the Round Table, Rotary or Lions Club and other local charities.
- Try your appropriate disability group such as Arthritis Care, who may know of sources of help.
- The Family Fund helps families with severely disabled children aged 15 and under. In some circumstances they may be able to contribute towards the cost of adapting a car or with driving lessons. The Trust cannot usually help with the cost of buying a car.
The Family Fund
PO Box 50
York YO1 9ZX
Tel: 0845 130 4542
Fax: 01904 652625
Textphone: 01904 658085
info@familyfund.org.uk
www.familyfund.org.uk - If you are retired or disabled, Charity Search is a free service to help you find a grant-giving charity.
Charity Search
Freepost (BS 6610)
Avonmouth, Bristol BS11 9TW
Tel: 0117 982 4060
(9.30 to 2.30 Mon - Thurs)
info@charitysearch.org.uk
www.charitysearch.org.uk - FunderFinder has a database of organisations that give grants. Call them to find out where you can see their database locally (0113 243 3008).
Statutory sources
- Social services - may be worth trying, especially if you do not get Disability Living Allowance or if you have already used its mobility component to lease or buy a vehicle.
- Access to Work - if you are in work or are applying for a job you may be able to get help from the Access to Work scheme. They may cover the cost of adaptations to a vehicle if this is the only, or most cost effective way for you to get to work. Cases are assessed on an individual basis. Contact your local Job Centre Plus or visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.
Buying Secondhand
If you are looking for secondhand items bear in mind that there may be safety issues, and you should factor in any fitting costs. If you have a Motability vehicle you may be restricted in what you are allowed to use.
Disability organisations
You can buy converted vehicles secondhand. Look for advertisements in Disability Now and other newspapers and newsletters produced by disability organisations. To subscribe to Disability now go to www.disabilitynow.org.uk, or call 0845 120 7001. The Disabled Living Foundation has a list of sources of secondhand equipment - follow the link to factsheets at www.dlf.org.uk or call 0845 130 9177.
eBay
This is the best known online marketplace, with huge numbers of items for sale. There is a section for Disabled Vehicles which covers adapted vehicles - www.ebay.co.uk
Disability Equipment Register
This is a web site with advertisements for secondhand equipment for disabled users - including adapted vehicles. www.disabilityequipment.org.uk
Justmobility
You can buy or sell secondhand adapted vehicles on their site. It costs £30 to place an ad, which will be displayed (with up to two photographs). In addition they take advertising for secondhand mobility products and placing advertisement for these is free. They also have a range of other information on the Shopmobility scheme, travel and holidays, for example. Go to www.justmobility.co.uk.
VAT
You do not pay VAT for products designed and made specifically for disabled people. This means all adaptations, their installation, repairs and maintenance are zero rated.
More details: VAT Notice 701/7 VAT relief for people with disabilities from HM Revenue and Customs national advice service 0845 010 9000 or go to www.hmrc.gov.uk
If you use a wheelchair or a stretcher you may not have to pay VAT on the price of the car or for its repair or maintenance. To qualify you must
- be a wheelchair user. Temporary users do not count and nor do scooter users. Or
- need to be carried in a stretcher.
The car must:
- have been designed or substantially and permanently adapted for the person who normally uses a wheelchair or stretcher
- have a carrying capacity of no more than 12 people
- be for domestic or personal use.
Vehicles owned and run by businesses do not qualify. However you can use a qualifying adapted vehicle for work if it is incidental to its main private use. You must buy and adapt the vehicle at the same time - you cannot get a VAT refund for adaptations made later.
What kind of adaptations count?
- Those which make it possible for you to get in and out of the vehicle, such as a swivel seat.
- Those which make it possible for you to drive, such as hand controls for primary driving controls and infra red systems for secondary controls. Note that standard extras such as automatic transmission would not be enough to qualify.
- Those which enable a wheelchair to be carried in the vehicle, such as a hoist. Trailers, roof or rear racks would not count as they are not vehicle adaptations.
Adaptations have to be permanent - which means in practice that they have to be welded or bolted on. Repairs and maintenance to the vehicle is also zero rated. The supplier of the vehicle has to be satisfied that you qualify, and you will have to sign a form declaring your disability.
More information:
VAT Notice 701/59 Motor vehicles for disabled people. From HM Revenue and Customs national advice service.
Note
Alterations made to a car before it is registered in your name have to have type approval. In practice this means that it is only legal to fit these adaptations after registration, which means you have to register the car, have it adapted and then pay for it. Talk to the firm who is adapting your car to arrange this - they will know the ropes and be able to make appropriate arrangements.
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