I must confess to having read some recent contributions with astonishment
(especially having read the whole thread at once after being off sick
yesterday).
Terry referred to the 'very generous' DLA mobility component and Motability
scheme for meeting travel costs. In a previous job, I was a disability
rights worker and dealt with significant numbers of clients who found the
scheme rather miserly, The DLA mobility component at the higher rate is only
£39.95 per week, just over £2000 per year. Many people with disabilities are
living in poverty because their household income has been affected adversely
by inability to work / care and other needs. A mobility component recipient
will have to spend most or *all* their mobility component on the cost of the
vehicle, depending on their precise needs. So that probably leaves precisely
nothing for other costs such as fuel (even if they don't have to pay vehicle
excise duty) and there may be a down payment to make at the start. I can't
find anything to say Motability meets all the maintenance costs (though I
may be wrong) so I'm also worried about what happens if all the gold bars in
the boot damage the back axle.
It should also be remembered that most students get no help with their
travel costs, although the government pretends that there is a travel
element in student support. Therefore whatever is paid through DSAs,
bursaries or whatever is actually all that there is.
These schemes may seem like handy amounts of money for people who have
reasonable other income. ("£40 a week to help you run your car, sir?"
"Thanks, that'll do nicely!") However students dependent on student support
are living at around or below Income Support levels and probably don't have
the money in the bank to help them take such a cheerful view. No, the way to
end up quids in from mobility component is to stay home!
Paul
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