Paying for disability equipment and assistive technology
This information applies to England and Wales.
Most disabled people who need equipment to help them to live more independently can get it from their local authority. This is free. You will need to ask for a social care needs assessment.
You could also buy the equipment that you need. Used equipment can be cheaper.
Loans and long-term hire-purchase agreements can mean that you get equipment quickly, but are usually more expensive than paying in full.
Social care needs assessment
If you need equipment to support your daily life, you can apply to your local authority for an assessment.
They can offer free equipment or practical help based on your needs.
Getting a social care needs assessment
What you're entitled to
Your social care needs assessment report will list 'desired' and 'essential' outcomes. Your local authority has a duty to meet the essential outcomes.
The Care Act 2014 defines specific eligibility criteria for social care. These include:
- eating and drinking
- maintaining personal hygiene
- dressing yourself
- using on public transport or access to alternative transport, like paying for a taxi or getting a lift from someone you know
- going to appointments and other places like libraries, cafes and pubs
Wheelchairs
How and where you get a wheelchair depends on your situation and needs. You may be able to get a wheelchair from the NHS or through grants, charities or fundraising.
NHS continuing healthcare
If you’re disabled and have a primary health need, you could be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare (CHC). This is funding from the NHS to pay for the medical care and support you need.
You do not pay anything towards continuing healthcare. It does not affect benefits or pension payments.
Access to Work
You can use Access to Work to pay for equipment that will help you to do your job. You can also use this to travel to work or if you travel for your job.
Access to Work equipment belongs to your employer. You do not have the right to take it with you if you leave. But your employer may choose to sell or give it to you when you leave.
Motability Scheme
The Motability Scheme lets you lease a car, mobility scooter or powered wheelchair using the mobility component of your Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Motability does not pay for your fuel but does cover:
- insurance, including tyre and windscreen replacement cover
- breakdown cover
- vehicle tax
Getting a Motability car (Citizens Advice)
Eligibility
You must be receiving either:
- the higher rate mobility component of DLA
- the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP
To qualify you must have at least 12 months left of your PIP or DLA award.
VAT relief
You do not need to pay VAT when you buy things that are designed or adapted to support you. You can receive VAT relief for most types of:
- adjustable beds
- stair lifts
- wheelchairs
- medical appliances for 'severe injuries'
- alarms
- low vision aids, not including spectacles or contact lenses
- specialist software, like a screenreader or speech recognition
- motor vehicles
- leasing a Motability vehicle
- building work like ramps, widening doors, installing a lift or toilet
You can also get VAT relief on:
- installing equipment
- repairs or maintenance
- spare parts
- accessories
Get VAT relief on certain goods if you have a disability (GOV.UK)
Renting or borrowing disability equipment
Certain items like walking aids, wheelchairs and mobility scooters may be available to use for short periods from the NHS or the Red Cross.
For manual wheelchairs, powerchairs and mobility scooters, you could also try your local ShopMobility centre.
Check whether your local mobility shop hires equipment, such as:
Accessible vehicle subscription
If you do not need a wheelchair-accessible or adapted vehicle 365 days a year, you could try a subscription service.
Grants for disability equipment
Grant-giving funds, also known as charitable funds, give grants to people that meet their criteria. This could be for something in your needs assessment, but is marked as 'non-essential'. For example, grants for assistive technology or funding for disability equipment, including wheelchairs.
Each provider has its own rules about:
- what they fund
- the size of grants
- if you can apply
- assessing what you need
- how to buy the equipment
Some will let you tell them what you need and get it yourself. Others will ask you to go to a supplier for an assessment.
Warning Crowdfunding can affect your benefits
Money that you raise could be treated as income by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This could affect means-tested (income-based) benefits.
Second-hand disability equipment
Used equipment can be cheaper or even free. Check:
- websites for recycled items
- local disability charities
- equipment manufacturers
- local newspapers
- local community boards
Warning Look out for scams
Research sellers before you buy anything.
Getting a loan to pay for equipment
Find out how much the loan with interest will cost. A loan usually costs more than paying outright.
Get advice on the loan from someone independent. This should not be the person selling the loan.
'Buy now, pay later'
In-store credit
Getting in-store credit usually means paying interest. It's like a loan. This means that it will cost more than paying in full.
Hire-purchase (HP)
Hire-purchase agreements let you hire disability equipment. If you do this for long enough, the agreement should give you the chance to buy the equipment. This could cost a large or small amount. Look in the agreement to find out how much.
You do not own the equipment unless you buy it.
Last reviewed by Scope on: 06/08/2024
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