§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps her Department has taken to ensure that DLA recipients subject to Benefit Integrity Project review who have appealed against adjudication do not have to return their Motability vehicle. [43298]
§ Mr. DenhamMotability is an independent charity, but we have worked with them to consider what might be done in cases where entitlement to the higher rate mobility component (HRMC) of Disability Living Allowance is ended under the Benefit Integrity Project.
The Governors of Motability have introduced, from 5 May 1998, a scheme whereby lease payments may be protected for Motability customers who have requested a review of the decision to end their HRMC entitlement. This protection will continue to the date that this further review is completed and the claimant is notified of the outcome. If that decision is favourable to the customer the lease reverts to its previous status; if the decision is still adverse, payment protection ends and the Motability car will have to be surrendered. The new procedures are explained in Motability literature sent to each customer whose HRMC entitlement is ended.
The costs of payment protection will be met from within Motability scheme funds.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when her Department will undertake a review of Benefit Integrity Project cases where benefit was stopped or reduced prior to the introduction of pre-adjudication check. [43297]
§ Mr. DenhamI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) on 5 May 1998,Official Report, columns 376–77.