Powered Wheelchairs UK/Ireland, indoor, outdoor electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters
There is one way of getting access to a wheelchair and that is through the National Health Service (NHS), which provides a wheelchair service. To qualify for a wheelchair, you have to pass a means test. You can chose between a manual or a powered wheelchair. There are four different types of powered wheelchair available.
The NHS wheelchair service is run by local health authorities. They allocate funds to the wheelchair service and primary care trusts. Sometimes this will include contracting the operating of the service to an outside company.
The way services are organised and provided will vary between counties. A qualifying criteria is used to decide which type of wheelchair is suitable to your needs, how soon will it become available to you and the way in which wheelchairs are funded.
1) You are referred to a local NHS wheelchair service.
2) An assessment of your requirements.
3) Timescales and funding is discussed.
4) Training is available on how to use a wheelchair.
5) A maintenance and repair plan is prepared.
Wheelchairs can be powered or manual and accessories can be added like; armrests, cushions and trays.
You will be referred to a service by a hospital, doctor, consultant or occupational therapist. Each service provides it's own type of means test for each individual. The details of your referral will be reviewed to work out it's priority. This includes;
the nature and level of your disability or medical condition.
when and where you will use the wheelchair.
your ability to use any type of wheelchair.
the time between referral and assessment is approximately 4 weeks.
Assessments are usually organised at clinics or NHS wheelchair services centres.
A specialist qualified in wheelchair assessments will conduct the assessment with you. They could be either a doctor, hospital consultant or occupational therapist.
The process could involve a rehabilitation engineer responsible for how the wheelchair works, any alterations, dimensions, functionality and features or fixtures it requires.
A specialist team can provide assessments for equipment for individuals with severe physical disabilities who can't use ordinary wheelchairs or controls.
Re-assessment of your requirements:
When a disabled person's circumstances change, the wheelchair service may review the situation. This might involve changing over to a powered wheelchair to make every day tasks easier.
Wheelchair Repair and Maintenance:
When your wheelchair is ready to be delivered, there is a formal handover of the wheelchair which could either be at your home, clinic or the wheelchair service centre. Also this will include;
showing you how to use the wheelchair.
providing you with relevant documents and contact details in case of future enquiries.
insurance details and arranging repairs and maintenance, including who is responsible for this.
Types of Powered Wheelchairs:
Indoor and outdoor powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters are for use by disabled people who can't use a manual wheelchair properly. There are some requirements for using some types of wheelchair: meeting eye test requirements for road use, or the requirement for an attendant to attend a wheelchair clinic along with the user.
There are four types of powered wheelchairs available:
1) electric indoor wheelchair-user controlled.
2) electric outdoor wheelchair-attendant controlled.
3) electric powered indoor/outdoor wheelchair-user controlled.
4) dual purpose wheelchair-user controlled indoors, attendant controlled outdoors. Outdoor powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters are put into two categories, class 2 & 3. Class 2 powered wheelchairs/scooters must have a maximum speed of 4 miles per hour. You can only use this type of powered wheelchair on pavements, excluding road use. Class 3 powered wheelchairs/scooters must have a maximum speed of 8 miles per hour. This type of powered wheelchair can be used on the roads.
The Motability Scheme:
The motability scheme is operated by the independent not-for-profit organisation. It provides individuals the chance to own/hire powered wheelchairs/scooters at affordable prices. There are other schemes available besides the motability scheme. If you don't qualify for an NHS wheelchair, you may be referred to a voluntary organisation/charity like; the British Red Cross who work in partnership with NHS wheelchair services.
VAT Relief When Purchasing/Hiring a Wheelchair:
There is VAT relief on most disability products and services such as; manual/powered wheelchairs and disability scooters.
Disabled people don't have to pay VAT when purchasing any disability product. Also VAT is not charged on certain services provided to disabled individuals such as; some building alterations to make every day tasks easier for a disabled person.
The rules concerning VAT relief for disabled individuals are quite complicated. Not every disabled product has VAT relief. So you have to do some checking first.
Who Qualifies for VAT Relief:
You must be seriously ill or disabled in order to qualify for VAT relief:
a) a physical or mental illness that permanently affects your every day life.
b) have a condition that doctors treat as a chronic illness.
c) terminally ill.
( temporary illness does not qualify, it has to be a permanent illness ).
Products That Qualify For VAT Relief:
A product/service must be supplied for the personal or domestic use of a chronically ill or disabled person to qualify for VAT relief. Examples of products that qualify for VAT relief are:
a) powered/manual wheelchairs
b) artificial limbs etc.
c) electrical/mechanical adjustable beds.
d) chair/stair lifts.
e) computer software or hardware.
f) devices that are designed to make everyday tasks easier for disabled individuals.
g) vehicles that have been adapted for use by a disabled wheelchair or stretcher user.
Services That Qualify For VAT Relief:
a) the maintenance, installation and servicing of disability equipment.
b) some building alterations to a disabled person's home.
c) the hire of qualifying disability equipment.
d) adaptation work on equipment or appliances so a disabled person can use them.
Disabled Motor Vehicles:
If you are a wheelchair or stretcher user, you don't have to pay VAT when you buy a motor vehicle that has been permanently adapted for your personal use. A wheelchair user is anyone who has to use a manual or powered wheelchair in order to be mobile. Any adaptation work that needs to be done on an unadapted vehicle in order to make it suitable for a disabled person's condition. Whether or not that person is a wheelchair user, also qualifies for VAT relief. (There is no VAT relief on the purchase of an unadapted vehicle. )
Leasing a Wheelchair/Vehicle Under the Motability Scheme:
Motability is a charity that provides vehicles, powered wheelchairs and scooters to disabled individuals. You don't have to pay VAT when you lease a vehicle, wheelchair or scooter under the motability scheme.
Alterations to a Disabled Person's Home:
You qualify for VAT relief if your home requires to be altered to suit your disability requirements. The rules concerning building alterations to a disabled person's home are quite complicated. You should always ask whether the alteration work done to your home will qualify for VAT relief when you are hiring a builder or tradesman.
Hiring Disability Equipment:
You do not have to pay VAT when you hire disability equipment such as; powered wheelchairs and hoists. You can find more about VAT relief for disabled people on the HM Revenue and customs website.