Do you need financial help for a mobility scooter?

Do you need financial help for a mobility scooter?

If you need you need financial help for a mobility scooter. It is possible to apply to a number of charitable organisations for financial assistance with mobility products funding, whatever your age. Each charity has its own criteria both regionally and nationally, to make the process as easy as possible.

Here is a selection of organisations that can offer funding, grants, subsidies or discounts for mobility products:

MS Society

The Multiple Sclerosis Society provides Health and Well-being Grants which can pay for items that will 'have a significant positive impact on your life'. These grants can help fund mobility scooters with a maximum contribution of £1,500. Up to £3,000 can be allocated towards the cost of a wheelchair or power wheelchair. If you have MS and live in the UK, you can apply for this grant. You can also apply if you care for someone with MS in the UK.

To apply, telephone: 0300 500 8084, email: grants@mssociety.org.uk or click here. 

The Mobility Trust

The Mobility Trust specifically provides wheelchairs and larger mobility scooters (not folding/transportable designs) for people who have severe disabilities and who cannot obtain such equipment through other means. Following an assessment by an independent Occupational Therapist (OT) sent by the Trust, the OT will then prescribe the most suitable piece of equipment for an individual. Equipment is only provided if it is not available from statutory sources or unable to purchase privately.

To apply, telephone: 0118 9842588, email: mobility@mobilitytrust.org.uk or click here. 

Aspire

Aspire is a national charity that provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by spinal cord injury (SCI). As part of its diverse range of support services, it offers the 'Aspire Grants' scheme which can assist with the purchasing of assistive equipment such as wheelchairs and power wheelchairs. Potential funds are considered on a case-by-case basis.

To apply, telephone the Aspire Grants Officers on: 020 8420 6707, email grants@aspire.org.uk or click here. 

Access to Work

Access to Work (AtW) is a government programme aimed at supporting disabled* people, aged over 16, to take up or remain in work. Access to Work is a discretionary grant scheme that provides personalised support for disabled people and can fund assistive equipment such as mobility scooters, wheelchairs and wheelchair power packs. Funding doesn’t affect other benefits and Access to Work is only applicable to people who met certain criteria in England, Wales and Scotland.
For further details, telephone: 0800 121 7479 or click here. 

* As defined in the Equality Act 2010: 'a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on [your] ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities'.

BLESMA

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is a charity that supports serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight during active duty. It can provide financial assistance towards the provision of mobility scooters and other specialist equipment. They consider grant applications on an individual basis - based on specific needs and can assist with the purchasing of mobility scooters, wheelchairs and powerchairs .

To apply, telephone: 0208 548 3516, email: membergrants@blesma.org or apply here. 

SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Air Force Association)

This UK Charity provides welfare and support for those serving in the armed forces, veterans and armed forces families. It can assist with the purchasing of mobility scooters, powerchairs and wheelchairs to ensure ex-army, RAF and Navy personnel remain independent.

To apply, telephone: 0800731 4880 or visit here. 

Steve Morgan Foundation

This foundation's "Enable Fund" provides support for disabled people, in financial hardship, to obtain specialist equipment that cannot be supplied by the NHS, Education or Social Services. Beneficiaries must live within North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire and North Shropshire. It can provide grants for mobility aids such as wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs. Applications must be accompanied by a medical reference from a healthcare professional such as an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, hospital consultant etc.

To apply, telephone 01829 782808, email:  enable@stevemorganfoundation.org.uk or click here. 

Wheels for Martin's Friends

Wheels for Martin's Friends helps provide assistive equipment for people of all ages with disabilities, living in the South Cambridgeshire area. If individuals are unable to obtain funds from the NHS or do not have the funds themselves, Wheels for Martin's Friends may support the purchasing of mobility products.

To apply, email: info@wheelsformartinsfriends.org.uk 

The Joseph Patrick Trust 

The Joseph Patrick Trust (JPT) is the welfare trust of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. The trust provides financial support towards specialist equipment to help promote mobility and independence for people with muscular dystrophy, or a related muscle disease. Equipment can include TGA powered wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs or wheelchair powerpacks with the following maximum values donated:

• Electric Wheelchairs (Adults) – Up to £2,500
• Electric Wheelchairs (Children – under 18) – Up to £1,500
• Electric Scooters (Adults) – Up to £1,000
• Electric Scooters (Children – under 18) – Up to £900
• Manual Wheelchairs (Adults & Children) Up to £500

To apply, visit here. 

The League of Helping Hand

The League of Helping Hand (LHH) provides one-off grants for specialist, essential equipment that helps people experiencing illness or disability. Grants up to £250 are possible for wheelchairs and scooters however applications must be submitted by a third party such as a social worker or healthcare professional. These 'sponsors' need to vouch for the application and take responsibility for distribution of the funds.

To apply, telephone: 01444 236099, email:secretary@lhh.org.uk or visit here.