I wasn't awarded PIP mobility. I now need an adapted car for driving. What should I do next?

mitchcp

Hi, I am 19. I was assessed for PIP in 2019 when I was 16. They awarded me Enhanced Daily Living and no mobility. I have cerebral palsy and I am currently doing driving lessons. For me to drive a car safely I require adaptions on the car, which my instructor has. At the time in 2019, I did not know much about the process and was happy just to get something and was so relieved and didnt know you had to have certain components for the mobility car scheme.

I am now in a position, I need the car for driving. Any advice on what to do next as I have no professional support in my life as though I am disabled, I am independent?

Thanks,
Mitch   

poppy123456

Whether you'll qualify for any mobility will totally depend on how your conditions affect you because PIP isn't about a diagnosis. You can report changes but there's always some risk to your current award. You will need Enhanced mobility to be able to qualify for a vehicle through motability.

As no one here knows exactly how your conditions affect you then you should get some expert advice before doing anything else. For this start here. https://advicelocal.uk/

Alex_Alumni

Hello @mitchcp and welcome to the community, thanks for your question

If you'd like a few more details on what questions are covered in the PIP form about mobility you can see the page from Citizens Advice on how to fill in your claim form, it's section 14: moving around.

I have CP and drive an adapted car myself, and I use a Motability car because I've been awarded the enhanced rate for mobility. It may be that some Motability grants are also available to help towards adaptions, but these depend on the circumstances around your PIP application.

Please ask if there's anything you need a hand with further, and keep us updated with how you get on.

Alex

mitchcp

I have already claimed and been claiming for a couple years. No one at DWP/PIP seem to care that I need help

Adrian_Scope

Hello @mitchcp. Have you had a look at the criteria for PIP mobility?
To qualify for a Motability car you need to receive Enhanced mobility with you PIP.
This means scoring 12 points from the descriptors I've copied below. The wording can be quite confusing so let us know if you have any questions. 

Descriptors

The descriptors for Activity 1 are -

1. Can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided. 0 points
2. Needs prompting to be able to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant. 4 points
3. Cannot plan the route of a journey. 8 points
4. Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid. 10 points
5. Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant. 10 points
6. Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid. 12 points

The descriptors for Activity 2 are -

1. Can stand and then move more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 0 points
2. Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 4 points
3. Can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 8 points
4. Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 10 points
5. Can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided. 12 points
6. Cannot, either aided or unaided - (i) stand; or (ii) move more than 1 metre. 12 points

mitchcp

Hello @Adrian_Scope.

I scored 4 for mobility and I know my circumstances havent changed and never will as my condition is lifelong and will stay the same.

How am I meant to score 12 points if I am slightly able but still need a car adapted for me to be able to drive? Its so unfair and is a tick box exercise for the DWP

Adrian_Scope

When looking at the descriptors and what scores points, do you agree that the 4 points is an accurate reflection of your current mobility?

mitchcp

Yes I think its probably fair because I am not a severe case of my disability however I still need the adaptions to drive.

janer1967

Hi there 

You can still get adaptions to cars to suit your needs the only thing is without the pip award you will have to finance a car and adaptions yourself 

You can get adapted cars second hand that have been returned or sold on 

poppy123456

Unfortunately, needing an adapted car isn't part of the criteria for mobility PIP. Whether you qualify will totally depend on how far you're able to walk outside on a flat surface and can you walk that distance regularly and reliably.