person is able to drive or not. Your husband must notify his insurance company that he has Parkinson’s.
All insurance companies require their clients to tell them the full facts about any disabilities or serious illnesses that they may have and about all adaptations made to their cars. Failure to do this will probably invalidate your husband’s insurance. Not only could this present problems with any claim he might make in the future, it would also mean that he was driving illegally. The main problem your husband could face is increased premiums but these are not inevitable. It is very important to shop around and get several quotations before making a final decision. It is also essential to read any potential policy thoroughly, including the small print. By doing this, your husband will be able to judge what he is getting for a particular premium. If your husband’s present insurance company increases his premium because of his Parkinson’s, it would be worth contacting some of the insurance brokers which specialize in insuring disabled drivers. There is a list of some of these companies in Parkinson’s and Driving (B64) published by the PDS. We know someone who used one of these specialist brokers and who paid a lower premium than before his diagnosis!
Obviously there are specific rules and procedures which are difficult to spell out in detail here, so if you think that you may be eligible do telephone or write for a claim pack from the Benefits Agency (the organization that handles social security payments for the Department of Work and Pensions – it will be listed in your local phone book). Try also to discuss the matter with someone knowledgeable like your local DIAL (Disability Informa-tion Advice Line) group or the Welfare and Employment Rights Department at the Parkinson’s Disease Society (addresses in Appendix 1). The variability of Parkinson’s can create particular problems in establishing eligibility for this and other benefits so it is especially important to get advice from an experienced person.
There are also review and appeal procedures that you can use if you disagree with the decision made by the adjudication officer or if your circumstances change.
If you have difficulty in filling in forms, get help from a friend or partner.
It is important to establish whether you are eligible for one of the rates of the Mobility Component of DLA because, once granted, they can help you to get other benefits. The rate payable on this Mobility Component can also affect the level of other benefits such as Severe Disablement Allowance, Disability Working Allowance and Disability Premium. There is more information about benefits and other financial issues in Chapter 12 on Finance.
Wheelchairs, pavement vehicles, crutches and walking frames are exempt from VAT (Value Added Tax).
What special help is available for drivers?
Those drivers who are granted the higher rate of the Mobility Component (see the answer to the previous question) are eligible for exemption from vehicle excise duty (road tax) on one car.
Technically, the vehicle is only exempt when it is being used
‘solely by or for the purposes of the disabled person’ but, unless there is flagrant abuse of the exemption, there is unlikely to be any trouble.
People receiving the higher rate of Mobility Component (see the
answer to the previous question) are also automatically eligible for a blue badge (previously orange), which confers important parking privileges. They have access to Motability schemes (see the final question in this chapter) and get relief from Value Added Tax on adaptations which make their cars suitable for use by disabled people, and on the installation, repair and maintenance of these adaptations. See the PDS information sheets, Disability Living Allowance (WB3) and Help with Getting Around (WB10).
Do Mobility Component payments count as income for other purposes such as taxation or means-tested benefits?
No, they are not taxable and should not be considered as income when you are being assessed for other benefits. Nor should any arrears count as capital for means-tested benefits for up to a year after they are paid.
What is Motability?
Motability is a special scheme, available to drivers who have the higher rate of Mobility Component, which helps them to hire, purchase and maintain their cars. It is administered through certain garages and involves handing over the benefit in exchange for certain services, for example having a leased car. For more information you should contact the head office of Motability (see Appendix 1 for the address). See also the Parkinson’s Disease Society Information Sheet, Help with Getting Around (WB10).
People who have a long-term illness and/or who are elderly often have special needs for treatment, care or equipment. These special needs can significantly increase their living expenses and this is certainly the case for many people with Parkinson’s. This chapter provides an outline of some of the main sources of financial support. Other general topics with a financial aspect such as mortgages, insurance policies and prescription charges are also included here, but the money side of motoring is discussed in Chapter 11, and the financial aspects of care outside the home are dealt with in Chapter 13.
This chapter covers a very complex area of knowledge with many detailed rules and allowances for special circumstances.
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Finance
Not only is it complex, it is also subject to change as the benefits system in this country is reviewed at frequent intervals. People who are in any doubt about their entitlement or who want to question their current levels of financial support will need to make further enquiries. Sources of help include the Department of Work and Pensions, your local Benefits Agency, the local Citizens Advice or your local authority’s welfare rights adviser (all of these organizations should be listed in your local phone book). You can also contact the Welfare Benefits and Employment Rights Depart-ment at the Parkinson’s Disease Society (address in Appendix 1) who produce information sheets on benefits and employment issues affecting people with Parkinson’s. All of these people and organizations should also be able to provide information about the current levels of various benefits.