Under the Motability Scheme, disabled people may exchange their government-funded mobility allowance to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair. If you are acting on behalf of a disabled person as an appointee or nominee, you may find the following information useful.
A disabled person may name a nominee, authorised to speak to
us on their behalf. However, a nominee has no further legal rights, and the
Motability Agreement will be in the name of the customer.
Appointees have the right to collect state benefits on
behalf of the disabled person, and determine how they are used. Appointees are
assigned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or Veterans UK and are
normally a family member. An appointee may be necessary when the disabled
person is under 16 years of age, or otherwise unable to manage their own
affairs. If you are not sure of your status, you can confirm with the DWP on
0345 712 3456 or Veterans UK on 0808 191 4218.
As an appointee, you are named on the Lease Agreement for the Motability vehicle, and legally responsible on behalf of the disabled person. As such it will be your responsibility to ensure the car is used only for correct purposes and that the disabled person has open access to the car. You are also fully responsible for any outstanding financial liabilities under the Lease Agreement.
A corporate appointee is a corporate body responsible for
the collection and allocation of state benefits for the disabled person. They
are assigned by the DWP or Veterans UK and may be a charity or social services,
for example. If you are unsure whether you’re a corporate appointee, you can
confirm with the DWP directly on 0345 712 3456 or Veterans UK on 0800 191 4218.
A corporate appointee is named on the Lease Agreement for
the Motability vehicle, and legally responsible on behalf of the disabled
person. As such it will be their responsibility to ensure the car is used only
for correct purposes and that the disabled person has open access to the car. They
are also fully responsible for any outstanding financial liabilities under the
Lease Agreement.
Here at Johnsons, we understand that for some disabled people
having a carer is crucial to maintaining their lifestyle. A carer can assist a
disabled person with their choice of Motability car and application to join the
scheme. However, they are not able to lease the vehicle on behalf of the
disabled person, as they have not been assigned (as nominee or appointee) by
the DWP or Veterans UK.
Unfortunately we’re unable to discuss the Motability customer’s agreement with anyone other than the customer (due to data protection rules), unless the other party is named as a ‘nominee’ on the agreement.
The nominee form must be signed by both the Motability customer and the named nominee. For additional security, a password may be set. Appointed nominees are able to speak with us on the customers behalf and make minor amendments, including: