Would you like to join the Motability Scheme but need support towards the Advance Payment? We may be able to help through our Scheme-Related Grants.
The Motability Foundation (then “Motability”) was founded in 1977 to provide a car-leasing scheme for disabled people that could offer them the best value for money, and also provide grants to people who needed extra support to cover the costs.
800,000 people use the Motability Scheme. In 2023/24, 15,142 grants were provided to Motability Scheme customers from the Motability Foundation Scheme-related Grants Programme.
Depending on your circumstances, we may be able to support you with a Scheme-Related Grant.
Who can apply?
Anyone who receives a qualifying mobility allowance to join the Motability Scheme can apply for these grants.
All grant applications are means-tested to ensure we support people most in need of financial help.
How does it work?
If you think you need a grant, please contact us before you order your Motability Scheme vehicle.
Our expert Case Managers and Driving Advisors look at your financial circumstances and work with you to understand what you could afford, and which vehicles will meet your mobility needs.
To apply, you will need to provide details about your personal transportation needs and your financial circumstances, as well as the financial circumstances of any family member who lives with you.
You may also be asked to give further information or supporting evidence, in order to progress a grant application.
Your Case Manager will carefully consider your individual circumstances and will make a decision on your grant based on the information you provide in the application.
Where the application is for financial help towards an Advance Payment, should you be successful, your grant award letter will include a list of suitable vehicles that the charity is prepared to fund.
We will not consider fuel-type preference when assessing your application.
All grant applications are means-tested to ensure we support those most in need of financial help and so that we can help as many people as possible with the charitable funds available.
If you receive a government means-tested benefit, you will need to provide details and supporting documents as part of your grant application.
Government means-tested benefits include:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
- Job Seeker's Allowance (income-based)
- Housing benefit
- Council Tax Benefit
- Working Tax Credit
- Pensions Credit
- Child Tax Credit
If you do not receive a government means-tested benefit, then we will carry out our own means test. This will involve looking at the financial circumstances, including household income and savings, of the disabled person and their family. If we believe you are able to afford to make a contribution towards the vehicle yourself, we may make this a condition of your grant award.
- For people who are able to afford a contribution towards their Advance Payment or adaptations but can’t meet the full cost, we may be able to provide a grant that makes up the difference.
- For people who can’t meet any of the costs, we may be able to cover the total costs with a grant.
- If you already lease a vehicle through the Scheme and we aren’t able to provide you with a grant, you may wish to extend the lease on your current vehicle rather than getting a new one. You will only be asked to do this if the vehicle is still suitable for your individual mobility needs.
Grants are awarded in line with our policies and following thorough consideration of the information submitted in the application. All grant awards are final, except in cases where additional compelling information is provided. Applications that we consider do not meet our funding priorities will not receive grant funding.
“I received a grant towards the Advance Payment as well as a powered tailgate and boot hoist for my wheelchair. Motability Foundation always go above and beyond.”Nazmin
Which Scheme-Related Grants are currently available?
Through our Scheme-Related Grants, you could apply for financial help towards:
How do I apply?
To apply for funding from one of these grant programmes, contact us on 0800 500 3186 and keep your National Insurance number at hand.
Children aged 3-15 years old have their National Insurance number or reference number at the top of their Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance award letter.
We will discuss what you need and if we think we can help, we will send you an application form in the post or a link to Apply Online - our online application system which is screen reader accessible.
Please contact us if you would prefer to make your application via phone, Typetalk or another way.
You can help us by providing all of the information requested when the application was sent to you, and by only contacting us if a member of the team has been in touch.
Please note that you cannot place an order for a vehicle until you have received your grant decision.
