cars 'paid' for by the d.w.p.

[llamekuf]

I have always wondered how the system works when a person has a car that is 'paid' for or 'subsidised' by the D..W.P.
Department of Works and Pensions.
E.G. do they get the car for free or financial help in running it etc.

[bednobs]

hi, neither. people get disability living allowance (higher rate for mobility) they either get to keep the money, or trade the benefit in for a motability car (if you want a jag or something, you have to pay eatra i think). Once you trade the benefit in, you dont have to pay insurance, serviceing, tax etc. So in effect it is not free, you pay arund 47 pound every week

[darbo1103]

I'm not having a go at the genuine people who get a mobility allowance, but I often see 'disabled' badges on 4 x 4's, Jags and other prestige vehicles. When the drivers get out (usually after parking in a disabled bay) they look fit and healthy. The blue badge scheme is wide open to mis-use and abuse and should be tightened up.

[cazzz1975]

some disabled people hire 4x4s because they dont have to bend so much to get in and out of them.

you cannot tell what someones situation is just by looking at them

to own a prestigious car you would normally have to fund it yourself as mobility allowance only really funds a basic car outright.

[smartowl]

My wife has a disabled badge and one day in Tesco's car park we pulled into a disabled bay and a rough-looking, unshaven fellow with tattoos on his arms parked in the next bay to us.
I commented to my wife about the misuse of disabled parking - until he got out of the car.
He only had one leg!
Apperances can be deceptive.

[tazmac25]

Some people also do not get a mobility car but do have access to a blue badge

And use it dishonestly - ie when the entitled disabled person is not in the car

Manchester have begun to tighten up on disabled badge misuse - if caught the people are named shamed and fined
The excuses seen in the paper are amazing - I forgot the disabled person wasnt in the car
I was gettin for my mum who is entitled
1 person even used her dead mothers badge - dont think she had an excuse

My OH is disabled with badge and the car but it does amaze and infuriate us the people who abuse the system

[darbo1103]

As I said I am not getting at 'genuine' disabled people, but the people I see on occasions are probably fitter than I am and use the badge to gain an advantage for parking, etc. You want to see them run when it's raining!!!

[crisgal]

hi, my mum needs a car to get about. She's not well enough to use public transport or even to get taxis (she always needs someone with her)
Anyway, earlier this year she decided she wanted to use her mobility to get a car. She doesn't drive and so me and my husband are the named drivers. You get free tax and insurance, free tyres and windscreen replacement.
It costs just over �189 per month, and the car is never hers, it's only sort of rented.
At the end of three years they offer you a new one and the whole thing starts again.
The only thing is, in order to fit in our three children and her electric scooter, we had to get a multipla. This needed a down payment of �1,500. She could have got a zafira for only �49.
It is a big chunk of her disability though and I think the only people who really benefit are the car dealers!

[tazmac25]

Hi Darbo

I do understand your point of view and sometimes it appears stupidity is also a disabilty (not learning difficulties etc) just plain stupid or lazy or both

Crisgal soory to hear your mum isnt well - the car scheme is brilliant but we have also struggled to find a car to meet our family need that is also an auto for no additional cost or downpayment
Still cant complain as I do really appreciate the freedom it gives my OH and so many other disabled people

[bednobs]

people dont have to limp to be disabled. my grandad had a blue (or as it was then, orange) badge because he was limited in how far he could walk owing to angina. he could walk perfectly normally for small distances. Also, you just never know - for example if my hubs was picking me up from somewhere, he would be entitled to park with the blue badge even though i am not in the car at the time he parks

[llamekuf]

Thanks for all the input.
As someone who has paid into the 'system' for many years and does not receive a penny in 'benefits' - (got a few bob in the bank so no chance: my fault for working all my life and saving) - it seems a very generous scheme which hopefully benefits those who need it and not the usual parasitic wasters who 'work' the system.

[bednobs]

you cannot use the blue badge for picking up a disabled persons drugs! unless they are with you, and actually getting out of the car (not just sitting in it while you get them), that is not allowed. Itis allowed for you to park in a disabled space if you are picking them up.

There will always be people who buck the system, but with the blue badge/dla it's not all that easy, so rest assured llamekuf

[cleggie]

the system is so widely abused now.
i agree if a person needs it fair enough,but i see 20 year olds driving and using vehicles ,some high end ones,and no signs of disability or anyone with them with a disability.
surely the best system is to means test them and do a monthly check on use.
My next door neighbours husband uses it for work and other things and his wife who its supposed to be for never travels in it,he says he does the shoping for her and collects her medication.no no hes at work 8 to 5 pm my understanding of the rule is it must be for the benefit of the person who is disabled.its about time the system of issue was looked at and made more to stop abuse.

[malana-3]

Not many people are aware that if you become disabled before reaching the age of 65 you can have a motobility car for the rest of your days BUT become disabled after 65 and you are excluded from the scheme. Are people over 65 not expected to get out and about?