Motability & PIP

FIAT MOTABILITY

Freedom of movement is a luxury that not everyone can enjoy. According to the World Health Organisation, about 500 million people across the world suffer from physical disabilities.

At Fiat, we believe having a disability shouldn’t stop you from choosing a stylish car. So we’ve worked hard to develop equipment that can fitted into our cars to enable easier access and greater comfort for physically disabled drivers and passengers.

View Our Latest Fiat Motability Offers

WORLDWIDE AUTONOMY PROGRAMME

Launched in 1994 and based in Italy, this special project aims to develop equipment that can be fitted into cars to enable easier access, and greater comfort and independence for physically disabled drivers and passengers.

Throughout the programme, Fiat Auto has designed devices for both private and light commercial vehicles, such as anatomic cushions, revolving and sliding seats, and special fittings for wheelchairs.

For example, the new Doblò and some of our larger commercial vehicles can be adapted to house a wheelchair behind the front seats. The many conversion companies that use Fiat wheelchair-accessible vehicles are listed at the bottom of the page. Fiat offers three options for customers with disabilities: our own in-house programme Autonomy Choices, the Motability scheme, and wheelchair accessible vehicles.

AUTONOMY CHOICES

More than 2 million people in the UK have access to some form of Government mobility benefit, which means our Autonomy Choices programme can be offered to a wide range of disabled customers.

You will qualify if you hold or claim any of the following:

• HIGHER, MEDIUM OR LOWER RATE DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE
• WPMS (WAR PENSION MOBILITY SUPPLEMENT)
• INCAPACITY BENEFIT
• ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE
• BLUE BADGE

The dealer will need a copy of the Government mobility benefit award notice or Blue Badge to keep on file. The award notice only has to be valid at the time of application for the vehicle, and there are no age restrictions. If the person receiving the benefit doesn’t drive, the application can be made in the name of an immediate member of their family, but the vehicle must be used by, or for the benefit of, the person with disabilities.

Our finance options are available to customers over 18 years and a guarantee or indemnity may be required. Written quotations are available on request – just speak to our Motability specialist today

All you need to know about PIP

What is PIP?

As you should be aware the Government is making a number of changes to the benefits system. From April 2013 a new allowance was introduced called Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which will gradually replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for disabled people aged between 16 and 64.

PIP Facts

• The Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP will enable access to the Motability Scheme just like DLA
• Like DLA, PIP is not means-tested and will be the same amount as DLA
• No one will be automatically entitled to this new allowance due to specific conditions – PIP concentrates on what someone can do, rather than their condition
• PIP entitlement will be reviewed more regularly
• From 10 June onwards anyone newly applying for a higher rate mobility allowance will be assessed for PIP

Who will and won’t be affected by PIP?

? Affected - Disabled people aged between 16 and 64, (including ‘indefinite’ or ‘lifetime’ DLA awards)
? Affected - Disabled children will continue to receive DLA until they reach the age of 16 and are assessed for PIP

? Not affected - Any existing DLA recipient who turned 65 on or before 8 April 2013 will continue to receive DLA
? Not affected - People receiving the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or Armed Forces Independence Payment.

How does PIP affect our customers?

Current DLA recipients (that meet the criteria below) will be contacted by the DWP from October 2013 onwards and invited to apply for PIP.

• Fixed term DLA awards that are due to expire
• Recipients reporting a change in their circumstances
• Children turning 16 years of age

Most people receiving DLA will not be affected by PIP until 2015 or later (2018) when all remaining DLA recipients will be reassessed for PIP, including those on lifetime or indefinite awards.

Where can customers find out more?

Customers can keep up to date with the latest news on PIP and the DWP’s reassessment process in Lifestyle, they can also:

Check their eligibility for PIP by going to gov.uk/pip-checker

For more information about the DWP’s plans, go to direct.gov.uk/pip

Independent charity Disability Rights UK also produces a series of factsheets covering DLA and PIP and these are available from disabilityrightsuk.org/factsheets

If the customer is affected by PIP and needs to ask about their Motability car handback and leaving the Scheme, please direct them to Motability Customer Contact Centre on 0845 456 4566.