How To Get A Wheelchair For Free
Learn how to get a wheelchair for free.
Wheelchairs, even basic ones, are quite expensive to buy, but keep reading, and you will learn how to get a wheelchair for free or how to reduce the amount of money you need to pay for one.
The British Red Cross lends and hires wheelchairs for people who need to use one from two to twenty weeks.They offer different sizes and designs of wheelchairs suitable for users that self-propel or are pushed, and offer accessories. The Red Cross has locations all over the UK where you can pick up a wheelchair and they also offer a home delivery service.There is normally a charge of £15 per week, however, if you are unable to cover this, call 0300 456 1914 to learn how to get a wheelchair for free.
The Disabled Living Foundation offers lots of information about hiring wheelchairs and may be able to help you to find out how to get a wheelchair for free in your area. Try calling their helpline at 0300 999 0004.
Some shopping centres are part of the Shopmobility scheme. Find out from them how to get a wheelchair for free while you are shopping.
The NHS wheelchair service provides different types of wheelchairs for people who need them.
First, you must get a referral from your doctor, hospital, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or social services.
Next, you will be assessed to determine the type of chair you need. You will usually have to wait two to four weeks for the assessment,and, depending on your requirements, you could have your chair in anything from a couple of weeks to several months. After your assessment, you have several options.
- Accept the wheelchair offered by the NHS. This chair remains the property of the NHS and they will service, repair, and maintain it. This is how to get a wheelchair for free for the long-term.
- Accept a voucher to the value of the chair offered but top-up with your own money to get a better chair in the NHS range or to include accessories. The voucher iscalled a Personal Wheelchair Budget (PWB) and is non-taxable and will not affect your disability benefits.
- Use your PWB as part of the cost of purchasing the wheelchairof your choice from a range of approved suppliers outside of the NHS.In this case,the wheelchair will be yours and you will be responsible for its maintenance.
Every five years your needs will be reassessed, and a new chair or voucher provided if necessary.
If you are disabled or chronically sick and decide to purchase your own wheelchair, you will not have to pay VAT. At Invictus Active we offer a wide range of wheelchairs to meet all needs, and as we ourselves are wheelchair users we can help you to choose the best chair to suit your needs and budget. Give us a call on 0800 832 1916 or click here to get in touch and let us help you to arrange split payments that suit your budget and to get the wheelchair you need now.
Active User Wheelchairs – Click Here
