However, wheelchair accessible vehicles can cost more than standard cars, and some of the vehicles that are most suitable for your needs may have a significant Advance Payment.
So, what happens if you need a particular WAV but cannot afford the Advance Payment?
If you need a particular wheelchair accessible vehicle but cannot afford the Advance Payment (AP), you may be able to apply for financial help from the Motability Foundation.
The Motability Foundation is a charity that provides means-tested grants to Motability customers who need financial support towards a vehicle or adaptations that meet their disability-related needs.
There is, however, an important point to understand: grants come from a fixed amount of money that needs to be shared among those who need it.
If you do need a grant, it is important to separate the things you need from the things you might like. This helps identify the most cost-effective solution and helps ensure that other people who need support can also access it.
The Foundation considers your circumstances, your mobility needs and the most cost-effective solution that will meet those needs.
What is a Motability Foundation grant?
The Motability Foundation provides charitable grants to help disabled people who are unable to afford the mobility solution they need through the Motability Scheme.
This can include help towards:
- The Advance Payment for a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle
- Essential vehicle adaptations
- Driving adaptations
- Other mobility-related costs covered by the Foundation's grant programmes
The purpose of the grant is to help you access a vehicle that meets your mobility needs when you would otherwise be unable to afford it.
Who can apply for a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle grant?
The first thing to understand is that you generally need to be eligible for the Motability Scheme.
Motability requires the person joining the Scheme to receive a qualifying mobility allowance with at least 12 months remaining on the award.
If you are eligible for the Scheme, you may be able to apply for financial help if you cannot afford the required Advance Payment. The Foundation assesses applications individually.
Being on Motability does not automatically mean you will receive a grant, and the Foundation does not simply fund the difference between the cheapest WAV and the vehicle you would prefer.
The grant process is about meeting your mobility needs rather than funding optional upgrades or features you would simply like.
Why might I need a grant for a WAV?
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles are different from conventional cars. They are specially designed to allow a wheelchair user to enter the vehicle and travel while remaining in their wheelchair.
Due to development costs, conversion work, specialist equipment and lower production volumes, WAVs are usually more expensive than standard vehicles.
Whereas a standard car may have zero or low Advance Payment options, Advance Payments for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles typically start at around £4,000 and, depending on your requirements, can climb significantly higher.
Whether you can use a small WAV or require a medium or large Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle can depend on factors such as:
- The size and weight of your wheelchair
- Your seated height
- The number of passengers who regularly travel with you
- The amount of mobility equipment you need to carry
- Your ability to enter and exit the vehicle safely and comfortably
- The need for specialist adaptations
- The need to travel independently
How much can the Motability Foundation pay?
There isn't a single standard grant amount. The amount of financial support available depends on your circumstances and the mobility solution you need.
The Foundation assesses applications individually and considers whether the vehicle and any adaptations are necessary to meet your disability-related needs.
It also considers whether there is a more affordable solution that would meet those same needs.
This is an important distinction. If one WAV meets your needs but another, more expensive WAV simply offers additional features or a higher specification, the Foundation may not consider the more expensive vehicle necessary.
The aim is to find a cost-effective solution that properly meets your mobility needs.
When should I apply for a grant?
If you need financial support, you should arrange this before committing to your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.
You can speak directly to the Motability Foundation or have a chat with us at McElmeel Mobility to get a better understanding of your options.
We can help you establish:
- Which vehicles are suitable for your wheelchair
- Which vehicles meet your individual mobility requirements
- Which vehicles can safely accommodate your passengers and equipment
- Which vehicles are available through the Motability Scheme
Equally, the most expensive WAV may offer additional features or space that you do not actually need. As grant funding comes from a limited pot, applying for more funding than is necessary can reduce the amount available to support someone else.
The right approach is to identify the vehicle that genuinely meets your needs and then establish whether financial support is available if you cannot afford its Advance Payment.
What information will I need?
Because Motability Foundation grants are means-tested, you will need to provide information about your financial circumstances as part of the application.
You may also need to explain why you need the particular vehicle or adaptations you are applying for.
You may be asked practical questions such as:
- The dimensions of your wheelchair
- The weight of your wheelchair
- Your seated height
- How you enter and leave the vehicle
- How many people need to travel with you
- The equipment you need to carry
- Whether you need additional adaptations
- Whether you require an assisted or unassisted solution
Will I get a grant if I choose a more expensive WAV?
In the UK, we are extremely fortunate that the Motability Foundation is able to offer grants.
However, grant funding comes from a fixed pot of money that needs to be shared in a way that provides the greatest possible benefit. This is one of the most important things to understand about the grant process.
As a result, there needs to be a clear distinction between what you need and what you would like.
The Motability Foundation explains that if one vehicle already meets your mobility needs, it cannot simply award a larger grant to allow you to upgrade to a different vehicle.
For example, if a smaller WAV safely accommodates your wheelchair, passengers and essential equipment, choosing a larger Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle simply because you prefer the additional space may not qualify for additional funding.
However, if that smaller vehicle genuinely cannot accommodate your wheelchair, essential equipment or the people who need to travel with you, then a larger vehicle may be necessary.
The key question is: what vehicle do you actually need?
Does the grant pay for the whole WAV?
No. The grant is intended to help towards the cost of the Advance Payment.
The ongoing lease cost will continue to come from the mobility allowance that qualifies you for the Motability Scheme.
Can I get a grant for adaptations?
Yes. The Motability Foundation can also provide financial support towards essential adaptations in appropriate circumstances.
Many adaptations available through the Motability Scheme are provided at no additional cost when fitted at the start of a lease, although more complex adaptations may carry an additional cost.
If you cannot afford essential adaptations that are required to meet your mobility needs, the Motability Foundation may be able to help.
Your vehicle and adaptation requirements should therefore be discussed before the vehicle is ordered.
What are my next steps?
If you think you might need financial support for your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, there are three main routes you can take:
- Contact the Motability Foundation directly to discuss your circumstances and potential eligibility.
- Contact McElmeel Mobility and speak with one of our specialists, who can help you understand which WAVs meet your needs and guide you through your options.
- Learn more about the application process by watching our video on “Applying for a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Grant.”
Our team at McElmeel Mobility can help you identify the most appropriate Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle for your needs and understand the support that may be available through the Motability Scheme and Motability Foundation.