§ Ms. LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if, under the proposed Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) Amendment Regulations, hospital patients will be able to joint the waiting list for the hire or purchase of a vehicle through the Motability scheme while in hospital; [16623]
(2) what factors led to the decision to protect, under the proposed Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) Amendment Regulations, payments of the disability living allowance mobility component payable directly only to Motability when the agreement still has a period to run after a claimant has been admitted to hospital. [16709]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellUnder the proposed legislation, which would align payment arrangements of the mobility component of disability living allowance with those of the DLA care component for people in hospital, people entering hospital with Motability agreements would have those agreements protected. This decision recognises that access to the Motability scheme depends entirely on payment of the higher rate mobility components of DLA—sufficient to meet the terms of the agreement—by the Department direct to Motability Finance Ltd.
The proposed changes would not prevent someone in hospital who expects to be discharged, from applying for a vehicle or wheelchair through the Motability scheme. Although payment of the benefit ceases during periods of hospitalisation, entitlement to the benefit continues. It would be for Motability to decide whether to accept such applications.