It’s nice to see that some case managers are somewhat helpful!This hasn’t been the case for me so far but it is a little encouraging.
The concern about miles is a big one for me too and I don’t think I (nor the case manager) considered the weight of all passengers plus the equipment with this. I would have a similar issue with weight as it would be two 30kg wheelchairs plus four passengers equalling to around 400kg, plus any added weight for luggage/shopping and potentially a hoist and/or electric boot lift.
I’m at a point where I’m reluctantly compromising and bargaining for the Skoda Enyaq long range (4wd on the 85x would be helpful due to the rural driving I do regularly but I doubt they would go for it) as the wheelchairs do barely fit in the boot with no room for luggage or shopping, but does still allow for us to have the back seat up. I do not want an EV again, the level of debt I racked up with the MG ZS is something I’m still paying off (and will continue to do so for the next 2-3 years) is staggering, plus I cannot afford to pay for both home charging and chargepoints. However, I don’t feel like I’m going to get anywhere in regards to the car that is actually suitable.
My complaint went nowhere and they reiterated that they feel the grant award is suitable –
“Reviewing the grant decision which was reached, I am comfortable with the options provided to you. Namely, that if we were to consider a whole-family solution (i.e, a 7 seater vehicle grant that would accommodate both wheelchairs) we would not increase funding to accommodate a powered tailgate as we understand that there are two carers who would be needed to stow the wheelchairs and they would be expected to operate the boot. If we were looking exclusively at a solution which you would be able to drive independently (i.e. with a powered tailgate) we would not consider your passenger’s wheelchair dimensions when reviewing the boot space, so we would consider a £749 grant towards a 5 seater grant to be suitable. Additionally, I understand your concerns about Electric Vehicles, however as a charity we are only able to award towards the best value solution and at this moment in time the best value solutions within both the 5 and 7 seater categories would be electric.
It is also worth highlighting that you are able to order on the scheme at no cost a boot strap, which would ease the closing of the boot if you end up ordering one of the 7 seaters listed but it does not have a powered tailgate.”
Unfortunately there are several errors and issues here –
1- The carers that accompany me and my passenger are not full time, nor do they need to be. They are also not required in order to put the wheelchairs in the car. They are purely there for social/behavioural support and as backup drivers for longer journeys/outings (ie not for the weekly shop and/or quick visits to see friends) and should not be expected to lift anything when that is not their job. I already have a solution for this that means I can do so independently, although a hoist would make this significantly easier.
2 – A boot strap does not ease bringing the tailgate down at all. The Berlingo is already fitted with one, or at least the one I viewed was, and I still had to wrestle with it, as well as stop midway due to pain in my neck and shoulder, before effectively bodyslamming it shut. I would not be able to pull this down independently on most days due to weakness and pain so it is not a suitable solution
3 – A personal use car becomes useless when I can’t travel with a necessary person. Due to my condition I need to drive with at least one other person present to ensure I don’t get myself stranded when I need to rest. My disabled passenger can do this as they are able to drive. This would mean I would need to be able to get both wheelchairs into the car or at least a wheelchair and a rollator.
No matter how many times I explain these things it always falls on deaf ears.
I’m sorry to see that so many people are struggling with getting funding for a suitable car when the APs are as high as they are.