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Motability Car, No longer able to drive

We have a family member who has a motability car on lease. (Based in Scotland)  Due to a deterioration in their health, they have now been in hospital for over 3 weeks and are not going to return home, the prognosis is not good, however do not have a timescale.

They have asked if we can arrange for their car to be returned, however they are unable to sign paperwork due to their condition, nor are they able to verbalise any longer.  There is no power of attorney in place.

Can anyone offer any advice ?


Comments

  • Albermarle
    Albermarle Posts: 25,915 Forumite
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    edited 27 January at 10:21AM
    Yes, phone Motability and ask them . It can not be the first time they have dealt with this situation.
  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 18,320 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    Sorry for the situation you are in

    https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/hospital-and-benefits/benefits-that-stop-being-paid-if-you-go-into-hospital

    If you have a car through the Motability scheme, you should tell Motability if you are likely to be in hospital for more than 28 days.
    Life in the slow lane
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,746 Forumite
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    Nothing needs to be signed anyway. If they are going to be in hospital for longer than 28 days their PIP/ADP award would stop anyway and the mobility vehicle would need to be returned. 
  • Albermarle
    Albermarle Posts: 25,915 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Sixth Anniversary Name Dropper
    Nothing needs to be signed anyway. If they are going to be in hospital for longer than 28 days their PIP/ADP award would stop anyway and the mobility vehicle would need to be returned. 
    So what happens if you come out of hospital after 29 days or more.
    Would you have to start the whole process of getting a new Motability lease with a new car ?
  • Savvy_Sue
    Savvy_Sue Posts: 46,894 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Nothing needs to be signed anyway. If they are going to be in hospital for longer than 28 days their PIP/ADP award would stop anyway and the mobility vehicle would need to be returned. 
    So what happens if you come out of hospital after 29 days or more.
    Would you have to start the whole process of getting a new Motability lease with a new car ?
    Their FAQs may help with this: https://www.motability.co.uk/get-support/if-things-change/ - on the face of it.

    Motability isn't perfect, but it's hard to see how they could operate any other way - the award which is paying for the car stops, therefore car must be returned. Whether you can negotiate transitioning to paying for it yourself is a question to be asked. 
    Signature removed for peace of mind
  • sheramber
    sheramber Posts: 20,914 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts I've been Money Tipped! Name Dropper
    When a friend’s husband went into hospital due to Parkinson’s disease she was allowed to keep the mobility car as she used it to visit him. 

    I do not know what, if any, financial arrangement was made. 
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