Motability – Claiming what you’re entitled to

This is a guest post by John Jackson. Thanks to John.

It´s a sad fact of life that the disabled people throughout the world are not always treated equally as human beings. Recent news stories have highlighted the issues that face people with disabilities, be it discrimination due to wheel chairs or being banned from emigrating with your family due to a disability. Even people with experience in dealing with disability have shown prejudiced attitudes towards disabled people. But if there is one lesson we can learn from the Paralympic games over the summer is that disabled people can be just as capable as the able bodied.

To aid this, support systems such as Motability have been set up. Since 1978, the Government Motability scheme has helped over two million disabled drivers in the UK purchase a car and with thousands of dealerships throughout Britain signed up to provide specially-equipped vehicles, insurance, maintenance, servicing, tyres, windscreens and RAC breakdown recovery, acquiring a car worry free is easier than ever.

Today the scheme for disabled drivers is run by the non-profit organization Motability a national charity that are responsible for overseeing that the financing, administration and maintenance of cars registered under the Motability Scheme is taken care of. Their collaboration with specialist car dealers nationwide allows ordinary people to live their lives in extraordinary ways.

Who is entitled to Motability?

In order to qualify for a car under the Motability Scheme you must be in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement. If you are you are entitled to apply for a new car of your choice on a three year contract and trade in the vehicle for a newer model every three years.

Motability car dealerships

Car dealerships are available all over the UK from specialists carrying reputable brand names such as Alpha Romeo, Audi, Ford and Lexus to name but a few. One such car dealership is Benfield motors in the North of England which offers a range of vehicles from no fewer than 11 different brands and dedicated Motability specialists. Many car dealerships offer Motability services however they tend not to be that heavily publicised. Your best bet is to either contact your local dealers and ask directly or use the Motability site itself to find the right vehicle for you.

For more information about the Motability Scheme contact Motability who are on hand to answer your questions and will be able to direct you to all the specialist car dealerships nearest to you. If you disabled but able to drive and eligible under the Motabilty Scheme, you can make life more convenient, flexible and fulfilling by taking out a Motability car deal that you are entitled to.