THE "scandal" of disabled people losing their cars and way of transport is causing unprecedented suffering, it has been claimed.

Several disabled residents in South Cumbria have lost their car benefit following welfare reassessments under the new disability benefit system, PIP (Personal Independence Payment).

Disabled people who previously were eligible for a mobility allowance to lease cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs are being told they no longer warrant the support - despite the fact their conditions have not improved.

Margaret Burrow MBE, honourable secretary of Barrow & District Disability Association, says the situation is creating a culture of fear as disabled people are called one-by-one for their PIP assessment.

She said: "They are quite frustrated. It's frightening under the new rules.

"People are losing their cars and having to appeal. It's a scandal. People are coming back with lower levels of benefit but their condition hasn't changed - sometimes it's got worse.

"We feel like we are consistently getting bad news at the moment."

One Barrow woman with spina bifida who fears losing her car following her assessment said: "If I didn't have a car I'd be in the house as I can't walk far.

"The car is really to get me from A to B otherwise I just won't go anywhere.

"It's annoying when you see people genuinely needing help and they are taking it away."

PIP is the new non means tested benefit for people aged between 16 and 64 with long term health conditions or impairments, replacing Disability Living Allowance.

Around three million claimants of DLA are still yet to switch to the new system and this process is expected to be completed by October 2017.

To be eligible for the 'Motability scheme' a claimant must be receiving the enhanced rate of the mobility element of PIP.

A DWP spokesman said: “PIP is awarded on the basis of how someone’s condition affects them rather than simply on the condition itself, and ensures that support is targeted at people who need it most.

“Support is available for people who leave the scheme following reassessment. Motability have decided that the majority of people will be eligible for a one-off payment of £2,000, which will help ensure their mobility needs continue to be met.”

The national charity, Motability, oversees the Motability scheme which enables disabled people to use their government-funded mobility allowance to lease vehicles.