Motability Car question

[MsNobodyIsOrangeAgain]

Sorry for asking. I've done a quick search and been on the Motability website but I can't find the answer... I currently have a Motability car (had it for nearly 3 years). DS2s DLA renewal came through yesterday. He will receive LRM, not HRM from December.

Am I allowed to keep the car until December? How soon do they take it off you?

I am reluctant to ring Motability in case they want the car back now. I don't work so can't get a loan and I'll need to do some frantic saving up in the next few months.

Help! Please. Thanks.

When does your Motability Car contract run out? I would have thought they would let you keep the car until then as long as that is before December.

I think it runs out in March next year. To be honest, these past 3 years have been a blur and I need to get my house in order so to speak.

Replying to my own post in case it helps someone.

I rang Motability. I can keep the car until December. They are going to write to me about what happens after that. They would not tell me over the phone.

Hi MsNobody, that is great news you are able to keep until december, must be a lot off your mind. Were you expecting your ds mobility to change from HRM to LRM, ie has he changed a lot since his last dla was awarded. Reason im asking my ds is 11 his dla runs out in feb 12 as yet havent had renewal form in, though daresay will be soon, so dreading. Anyway will be huge worry waiting to see what ds awarded, however im hoping will be same as now hrc and hrm because he is getting harder to deal with not easier the bigger he gets. He can walk though is selective, has no communication, no sense danger, runs off and will sit down for half hour at a time, i cant get him up again. Im unsure what criteria is for hrm though he is much same (though bigger) as he was at last award.

Hi shazian. I was expecting my DSs mobility to change to be honest. He's a little complicated case. He has had DLA from 2 years old (he is nearly 8 now). He is partially sighted, has learning difficulties, and has recently been diagnosed with ASD (mid-functioning).

From the age of 3, he was awarded mid rate care and low rate mobility. He attends a SN school.

Then he got leukaemia (I know this sounds bizarre). When he got the cancer and his mobility was impaired, his DLA was upgraded to high rate care and high rate mobility. He has recently finished 3 years treatment for his cancer and his mobility is improved but it is still impaired by his ASD and partial sight.

He also refuses to move in social situations (shopping, etc) due to his autism. He does communicate but it is very limited, no sense of danger, can't read or even see danger signs (his low vision report said he has to see things 6x bigger than a normal child). He can't write.

I don't know what the criterias are for the mobility component. I have been that woman that is stood by a screeching child for half an hour. He is too heavy for me to carry. He punches and kicks me. I have no energy to appeal to mobility part of the decision. It's probably right. I'm just too tired to investigate and glad we have something rather than nothing.

Good luck, best wishes to you, and sorry for the essay!

From what you have written here, you should get HR. try ringing the local branch if NAS, they will have somebody who can come out and help you appeal.

msNobody thanks so much for the info. Your poor ds and poor you, been through so much. Hope he is in remission and getting better by the day. Yes my ds has severe autism, he cant read or write either. Are you sure its right re the lrm, im hoping my ds is kept on hrm and hrc he cant do anything same as average 11yo. Your ds sounds same as mine in that he has no sense danger, no reading or writing, wont move especially when its busy.... i would enquire what criteria is, might go n see if can find anything on it. Though my ds also has low muscle tone, intermittent dystonia he didnt walk until age 5, dont know if this makes any difference. Thank you for sharing, hoping your lovely boy is doing well

dev and shaz thanks for the comments.

The situation is made worse because DS2 is a twin. Twin 1 has partial sight, SN school. He gets MRC and LRM.

My worry is if I appeal Twin 2s situation, they will look at Twin 1 and downgrade it. I don't want to rock the boat to be honest. I'll just lose the car and pinch the pennies.

msNobody thanks so much for the info. Your poor ds and poor you, been through so much. Hope he is in remission and getting better by the day. Yes my ds has severe autism, he cant read or write either. Are you sure its right re the lrm, im hoping my ds is kept on hrm and hrc he cant do anything same as average 11yo. Your ds sounds same as mine in that he has no sense danger, no reading or writing, wont move especially when its busy.... i would enquire what criteria is, might go n see if can find anything on it. Though my ds also has low muscle tone, intermittent dystonia he didnt walk until age 5, dont know if this makes any difference. Thank you for sharing, hoping your lovely boy is doing well

Sorry MsNobody went to do something came back and this was still on my laptop meant to come out page and hit send in error lol didnt mean to post again. Im with dev here im sure should be hrm and if i get awarded lower i would have to appeal. Im not sure they would be able to downgrade just because twin 1 gets mrc and lrm after all both the twins are individual with different needs (tho prob some same), and imo because your 2 dc have special needs you really could do with mobility car and im sure your twin2 should get hrm. And anyway as it is seperate claim would they even be aware you have another claim for another child as they both will have different dla numbers. x

I am not sure it is right but I will live with it.

I am sick of fighting. I don't know what the criteria is for hrm.

Many thanks for your good wishes. My DSs prognosis is excellent. The Oncologist said it is very unlikely his cancer will recur.

thats brilliant news, suppose it puts things in perspective after your ds going through what he has. As you say you will manage. So happy for you and ds, tragic you all had to go through leukaemia on top of all your daily trials that you face with having 2 children with additional needs. Well done you for coming through it all xx

X posted *shazian"

I know what should happen if you lodge an appeal but what could actually happen.

I am in the unfortunate position of being a lone parent. I have the twins, and a NT daughter. I live off benefits and their DLA

I just don't feel I have enough grounds to appeal for HRM, and like I said, I don't want to flag myself and my sons up to the system.

msnobody no flaming here. I can understand you not wanting to rock the boat. When you feel upto it, I would still advise you to get in touch with your local NAS branch. I did that, they helped me fill the form and they advised me that my DS would most def be eligible for HRM and told me that they will help me with an appeal if we were awarded any less.
no harm in discussing your circumstances with them and see what they advise. Sometimes it helps to have a second person look at things with a fresh pair of eyes.

Also check out page 36/37 of the Cerebra DLA guide.

msNobody no flaming here either, i think your doing an amazing job with 3 children on your own especially considering 2 have additional needs. Which is why i agree with dev i feel you are entitled to and really need hrm, therefore i would do as dev suggested when you are ready :) x

DLA guide here

I just realised you mentioned upthread you were not sure what the criteria for HRM was. The guide I have linked to explains it very well and based on the information you have posted, it looks like you haven very good case for an appeal. Do have a look when you feel upto it. Best wishes.

You are very kind. Thank you. I will have a look in the morning when my head is clearer (problems with ex-h today).