Wheelchair Funding, a simple guide.
Ethical Borrowing Considerations
At Conquering Horizons, we believe that everyone should have access to life-changing mobility solutions without undue financial strain. While some individuals may consider personal loans or financing options to purchase the Omni wheelchair, we strongly encourage responsible borrowing.
Conquering Horizons are not a financial institution and therefore don’t provide any financial advice. The following are sectors and areas that may be able to provide the information you require.
Understand the Terms: Before taking out any loan or credit agreement, ensure you fully understand the interest rates, repayment terms, and potential long-term costs.
Seek Financial Advice: If you’re considering borrowing money, speak with an independent financial advisor or a disability charity that can offer guidance on sustainable funding options.
Explore Grant & Crowdfunding First: Before resorting to borrowing, explore all available grants, NHS funding, and crowdfunding opportunities, which may reduce or eliminate the need for a loan.
At Conquering Horizons, our goal is to empower individuals with the freedom and independence they deserve while ensuring financial well-being.
Securing funding for a powered wheelchair in the UK involves exploring various avenues, including government schemes, charitable organisations, and crowdfunding platforms.
Personal Wheelchair Budgets
A personal wheelchair budget is a resource available to support people’s choice of wheelchair, either within NHS commissioned services or outside NHS commissioned services. Personal wheelchair budgets enable postural and mobility needs to be included in wider care planning and can support people to access a wider choice of wheelchair.
Access to Work
Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.
The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:
a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
support with managing your mental health at work
money to pay for communication support at job interviews.
Veterans Mobility Fund
The Veterans Mobility Fund (VMF) is administered by Help for Heroes with the support and partnership of Blesma and is funded by the government through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT).
The fund is designed to support veterans with physical disabilities resulting from illness or injury sustained during service. It does this by providing life-changing grants or equipment not usually available on the NHS.
Charities
Turn2us helps people find and apply for grants from charities and other organisations. It also runs some of its own grant programmes for people in need, such as the Elizabeth Finn Fund and the Turn2us Response Fund.
Aspire
Aspire provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury, supporting them from injury to independence
The Grants programme is part of the practical help that Aspire provides to people who have been paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury to support them to live independently.
Mobility Trust
Mobility Trust provides powered wheelchairs and scooters for UK residents who have severe disabilities and who cannot obtain such equipment through other means. We aim to reach and help people who, quite simply, have nowhere else to turn. We are the only UK charity that provides such broad support, regardless of age or cause of disabilities.
Go fund me
A widely used platform where individuals can share their stories and raise funds for personal causes, including medical equipment.
Just Giving
Allows individuals to create fundraising pages to collect donations for various needs, such as purchasing a motorised wheelchair.
Crowdfunder UK
Crowdfunder UK Enables fundraising for personal projects and needs, providing a platform to reach potential donors.
Important Considerations
Impact on Benefits: Funds raised through certain means may affect entitlement to means-tested benefits. It’s crucial to consult with a benefits advisor or refer to guidelines from organisations like Scope to understand potential implications. Home | Disability charity Scope UK
Application Process: Each funding source has specific application procedures and eligibility criteria. Thoroughly research and prepare necessary documentation to enhance the chances of a successful application.
By exploring these options and understanding the associated processes, individuals seeking powered wheelchairs in the UK can identify and secure suitable funding to meet their mobility needs.
