AIBU to be a tad [hmm] about my neighbours new car?

[DairyleaAndPickleOnAStick]

First off, this is absolutely NOT a benefits bashing thread.

I am probably BVU and this will show me up to be a nasty, mean spirited and bitter aul crone, BUT my neighbours just took delivery of a brand new car today- (think 3 letter, premium marque) - which they receive AFAIK through the motibility scheme. (Where I live this is very common practice.) Neither of them work and presumably receive benefits and HB. They definitely rent their house as we know the owner.

My DH and I were both high earning professionals before the recession hit and paid a very considerable sum for our own house, unfortunately we were both made redundant (within weeks of each other) several years ago and have fought tooth and nail to keep our home (both working very low paid unskilled jobs, taking in lodgers and DH moving away for a year to retrain.)

Obviously we are very fortunate to have been able to hold on to our home but it has been an incredibly tough few years- the pressures of redundancy, unemployment, and being on the breadline have taken a massive toll on our mental health, wellbeing and relationships- both with each other and family/friends.
My DH came home today soaked through after being out all afternoon in the pouring rain selling electricity door to door.

As I said upthread this is not a benefits bashing thread- I am fully aware that being on benefits is no picnic- DH and I spent 6 months on the dole and it was beyond grim, however AIBU to want to weep out of frustration seeing my neighbours new beemer parked in the driveway??

CoolaSchmoola I don't think is BU to have a feeling of frustration to see someone getting something new and sparkly when you are struggling to maintain a normal life - even when that person is disabled and needs whatever that item is to maintain their normal life. I do know how difficult it is to get DLA - there are people in my family who receive it. The OP is having a hard time and it's tough to control your emotions when things around you seem unfair. That said, I would certainly not condone seething and writhing with frustration or letting it get the better of me - perhaps the OP should talk to her neighbours more and get to know them better?

I thought the disability car was a Quashqui or however you spell it. Do you get a choice now?

HARD TIME
try needing DLA and then you will know a hard time
sorry I have no sympathy for people who are jealous of disabled people.
not only is sick, but it also fuels hatred.

It may not be motability. They may have funded it and used the VAT exemption.

Report it or STFU

I'm sorry if I have offended anyone, as I stated before I am from NI where there has been widespread abuse of the motability scheme and the DLA. I shouldn't have posted here. My frustrations lie with the abuse of that system. Apologies again. I will have this thread pulled.

ATorch there is a large choice of Motability cars and has been forever.

A BMW 3-series starts from £1900 for 3 years , plus the allowance of £54.05 /week , so a total of £10,331.80 - about £286/month

www.motabilityonline.co.uk/carsearch/viewCarDetails.htm?itemId=86055053055&page=carDetails

A 1-series goes from £1200, plus the allowance, so around £9631.80 - about £267/month

www.motabilityonline.co.uk/carsearch/viewCarDetails.htm?itemId=72055085081&page=carDetails

and not your own car at the end of the day

no, but still a very good deal for a new car considering insurance and servicing is included. Same thing on the open market would be about 50% more expensive.

if you were in it for the car

In what?

You are either entitled to the DLA or you aren't. If you are AND you want a new car, then you get a very good deal from motability. You could keep the £8400 worth of motability payments and buy a second-hand car, pay for your own servicing + breakdown cover and insurance and perhaps still have some cash left over, but it's really up to you.

those who are genuine wouldn't be looking at cost but need, the need would then indicate which car

"presumably receive benefits"

So you don't know?

For all you know, they may have a private insurance payout for critical illness. Would that be OK for you, OP? Or is it only people who pay into National Insurance and get tiny payouts who are the objects of your envy?

Btw, you own, they rent - insecurely in the private sector. If you want a naice car, sell your house and buy one. It's your choice.

Eh, the DLA assessment for Higher Rate Mobility would be done on the basis of your disability.

That would give you an entitlement to £54.05/week, which is intended to help meet your mobility needs, which a person without a severe disability would not have.

Having passed that assessment it would absolutely be appropriate for you to decide whether you want to forego the £54.05/week and go for a Motability vehicle, or keep the money and make your own arrangements.

Obviously if the Motability rates weren't highly preferential, then it wouldn't be so popular, and people would keep the cash and make their own arrangements. But it is absolutely appropriate to consider the cost, which is £54.05/week plus possibly an up-front payment.

I know how DLA and motability work, the thread is getting at those who claim when they don't need or seem to not need.

widespread abuse of the motability scheme????????

bollocks nowhere (in the uk) has anything close to what could be considerd to be widespread abuse of the scheme. dla higher rate mobility that you have to be elligable for to obtain the car. has such a low rate of fraud that its practicly under the scale. unless ofcourse your refering to a disabled person giving the car to someone they shouldnt.

not only are you benefit bashing but your targetting the most vunlerable group possible and a benefit that is not an out of work one.

"those who are genuine wouldn't be looking at cost but need, the need would then indicate which car"

Because of course, people with disabilities don't have any regard for the type or style of car do they?

I really shouldn't read threads such as these. They make me angry. When DH had his DLA approved, he was looking at all sorts of cars. Obviously to fit his needs, but also he was looking at style, marque, performance, etc. Just because his cancer rendered him disabled, he did not lose his interest in cars and all things stylish.

People really do need to engage their brains a little more at times.

can I just say in our circumstances the need does indicate the car

in other words I did engage my brain !!

what I was referring to was look you can get a BMW cheaper on motability !!

Might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.
Where I live the abuse of the DLA is widespread and common knowledge. As is doing the double, subletting council houses,claiming to be a single parent whilst living with a partner, walking with a stick in public and bragging about it down the pub. This is what I am frustrated with and I accept that this wasn't clear in my op.

Sock, quite common for someone to claim a car and give it to a relative.

Can I just say in your defence op that I have aunt who is the healthiest amongst all the siblings and yet has managed to convince someone that she qualifies for help and has a brand new car everything three years. They are constantly buying new furniture, white goods, you name it so they qualify for the financial help by having no money left in the bank. There is nothing wrong with her and I mean nothing. It is a disgrace. Unfortunately there will always be benefit cheats and scroungers and it is annoying.

Sorry just to clarify I'm not bashing people who really do qualify for help. My aunt is a hypochondriac who has gone through every doctor in her local surgery because they are all sick of her. She is obsessed with online self diagnosis and according to her is quite ill. She is the picture of health, slim, fit, active. I don't know how she ties this in with her so-called illness.

Not that I'm bitter or anything but when both my parents were suffering with cancer, my dad was in a wheelchair and couldn't drive, they didn't qualify for any help of any kind and they weren't well off either.

you know I don't wish my worst enemy but maybe Rider wants to spend the day with us to see another side of disability and exactly how the need dictates the car.