Asked by: Lord Rooker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the level of financial contribution, over and above individual social security benefits, that the Department for Work and Pensions pays to the charity Motability in respect of motor vehicles which require extra modification in respect of the disabled user.
Answered by Baroness Buscombe
When an eligible claimant elects to join the Motability Scheme the Department facilitates the transfer of their benefit payment to Motability. The Department makes no financial contributions to the Motability charity or Motability Operations and the Accounting Officer would not, therefore routinely meet the trustees of the charity Motability.
In order to ensure eligible claimants receive an appropriate level of support, and to suggest ways to improve the support provided by Motability, senior civil servants have regular contact with the charity Motability.
The Minister for Disabled People, Health & Work had an introductory meeting with the Chairman of Motability in January 2018. Ministers do not routinely engage directly with Motability Operations, as this is an independent company, which Motability oversees.
Asked by: Lord Rooker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the grade of the official in the Department of Work and Pensions who has regular contact with the charity Motability in connection with the supply of motor vehicles leased using a social security benefit as payment.
Answered by Baroness Buscombe
When an eligible claimant elects to join the Motability Scheme the Department facilitates the transfer of their benefit payment to Motability. The Department makes no financial contributions to the Motability charity or Motability Operations and the Accounting Officer would not, therefore routinely meet the trustees of the charity Motability.
In order to ensure eligible claimants receive an appropriate level of support, and to suggest ways to improve the support provided by Motability, senior civil servants have regular contact with the charity Motability.
The Minister for Disabled People, Health & Work had an introductory meeting with the Chairman of Motability in January 2018. Ministers do not routinely engage directly with Motability Operations, as this is an independent company, which Motability oversees.
Asked by: Lord Rooker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made special arrangements for people with Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome who are transferring from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payments.
Answered by Baroness Buscombe
All existing Disability Living Allowance claimants who were aged 16 to 64 on 8 April 2013, or who reach age 16 thereafter, are being invited to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP). With the exception of those claiming under the special provisions for people who are terminally ill, all claims to PIP are treated in the same way and are subject to an assessment of needs to determine entitlement and the correct rate to pay benefit.
Most people will be asked to attend a face-to-face consultation with a trained independent assessor. However, we recognise that attending a face-to-face assessment can be a stressful experience for some people, which is why we do not carry out face-to-face consultations where there is enough existing evidence to determine benefit entitlement. Furthermore, where a face-to-face consultation is required, that can take place in a claimant’s home if they are unable to travel to an assessment centre. We and our Assessment Providers also encourage claimants to bring another person with them to consultations where they would find this helpful to, for example, reassure them or to help them during the consultation.