Grant for mobility equipment

tweetypie81

Hi,

I am trying to find a way to get a grant for a mobility scooter. 

I am disabled and I have been unable to work for the past few years due to various health problems. I have unfortunately found myself reliant on benefits. 

My mobility has worsened significantly over the past few months and I am really struggling to walk. Therefore I am in need of a mobility scooter to enable me to keep my independence. 

I would be so grateful if anyone knows any companies or charities that would be able to help me? 

Thank you for reading. 

marcia_

Search here https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/apply-for-grants

 and refer yourself to adult social care at your local council. They will have a wheelchair service as part of OT and includes mobility scooters. 

Spoonie_Turtle

This is a directory of various grants available
https://www.disability-grants.org/

Do also remember that secondhand may be an option, to keep costs down.

Savvy_Sue

Spoonie_Turtle said:

This is a directory of various grants available
https://www.disability-grants.org/

Do also remember that secondhand may be an option, to keep costs down.

I don't know if that includes suggestions about any unions you may have been a member of (they may have funds for retired / disabled members, not sure about former members), and also any professional bodies you may have been associated with - which may be a wider definition than you expect. 

Any connection to the Armed Forces, OP?

Brie

Savvy_Sue said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

This is a directory of various grants available
https://www.disability-grants.org/

Do also remember that secondhand may be an option, to keep costs down.

I don't know if that includes suggestions about any unions you may have been a member of (they may have funds for retired / disabled members, not sure about former members), and also any professional bodies you may have been associated with - which may be a wider definition than you expect. 

Any connection to the Armed Forces, OP?

If armed forces try SSAFA, if you or a close family member has been in banking try Bank Workers Charity.  and if your disability is related to a particular illness (MS etc) try the individual charities.

Albermarle

marcia_ said:

Search here https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/apply-for-grants

 and refer yourself to adult social care at your local council. They will have a wheelchair service as part of OT and includes mobility scooters. 

As in bold above.
Although in my experience wheelchair services are run by the NHS, not the council. Have you had any discussions with your Doctors/nurses about this issue?

Be aware there is a lot of crossover/grey area between Adult social services and the NHS on all these types of issues.

Spoonie_Turtle

Albermarle said:

marcia_ said:

Search here https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/apply-for-grants

 and refer yourself to adult social care at your local council. They will have a wheelchair service as part of OT and includes mobility scooters. 

As in bold above.
Although in my experience wheelchair services are run by the NHS, not the council. Have you had any discussions with your Doctors/nurses about this issue?

Be aware there is a lot of crossover/grey area between Adult social services and the NHS on all these types of issues.

Where I am we have two different services - NHS Wheelchair Services who'll only give you one if you need it to get around indoors *and* your home is wheelchair accessible inside, then the Community OT team who provide basic wheelchairs if you need one to go out and other aids around the home.  I don't know if they cover scooters, but if either department do it'd be the latter.

marcia_

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Albermarle said:

marcia_ said:

Search here https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/apply-for-grants

 and refer yourself to adult social care at your local council. They will have a wheelchair service as part of OT and includes mobility scooters. 

As in bold above.
Although in my experience wheelchair services are run by the NHS, not the council. Have you had any discussions with your Doctors/nurses about this issue?

Be aware there is a lot of crossover/grey area between Adult social services and the NHS on all these types of issues.

Where I am we have two different services - NHS Wheelchair Services who'll only give you one if you need it to get around indoors *and* your home is wheelchair accessible inside, then the Community OT team who provide basic wheelchairs if you need one to go out and other aids around the home.  I don't know if they cover scooters, but if either department do it'd be the latter.

 Thats the same where I live, hospitals provide specialist wheelchairs and the community occupational therapy provide large childrens buggys for older children, basic wheelchairs and mobility scooters 

Albermarle

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Albermarle said:

marcia_ said:

Search here https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/apply-for-grants

 and refer yourself to adult social care at your local council. They will have a wheelchair service as part of OT and includes mobility scooters. 

As in bold above.
Although in my experience wheelchair services are run by the NHS, not the council. Have you had any discussions with your Doctors/nurses about this issue?

Be aware there is a lot of crossover/grey area between Adult social services and the NHS on all these types of issues.

Where I am we have two different services - NHS Wheelchair Services who'll only give you one if you need it to get around indoors *and* your home is wheelchair accessible inside, then the Community OT team who provide basic wheelchairs if you need one to go out and other aids around the home.  I don't know if they cover scooters, but if either department do it'd be the latter.

Thanks for the clarification. My experience is with family member who needed a more specialised wheelchair and was supplied by the NHS.

So the OP should contact socials services and ask for an Occupational Therapist review.
However there is usually a long waiting list just for the review, and they may not be willing to supply a scooter depending on the situation.

teddysmum

If you look on Facebook's marketplace, you may find a wheelchair or even a scooter offered free as people have nowhere to store things after emptying someone's home.

I watched videos, before buying an electric wheelchair, the very knowledgeable presenter explained that electric wheelchairs and scooters have different uses, especially mentioning that scooters, except for the tiny ones , cannot be taken into shops, whereas a wheelchair can turn on the spot, so needs less space. Another point is that you need a safe place to keep whatever equipment you have.