Mobility scooters are a fantastic key to greater independence and freedom of movement when you have mobility issues, but let’s face it: they’re quite the investment.
Mobility scooters can range from £500 all the way up to £9,000. While for many people the returns on independence a scooter can offer are priceless to them, for many others, a mobility scooter is a dream item on their wish list.
This article gives you some options for free scooters, and alternative cost-saving ideas where this is not possible. Plus, we cover where you may be able to get assistance covering the cost of your scooter.
Regardless of how you get your mobility scooter, make sure you keep it (and yourself) covered with a mobility scooter insurance policy. Our policies start from just £3.85 per month.
Can you get a grant for a mobility scooter?
Yes, you may be able to get a grant for a mobility scooter in the UK. There are a number of organisations, foundations, and charities that will offer aid and financial support to people with disabilities and mobility issues.
Many of these trusts have a number of eligibility criteria that you willl need to meet – we’ve provided more details of the organisations that may be able to help and links to their websites further down in this article.
Can you get a free mobility scooter from the NHS?
Unfortunately, while the NHS might provide a free walking aid- or even a manual wheelchair- you won’t be able to get a free mobility scooter.
Getting a Mobility Scooter via the Motability Scheme
Some people in the UK are eligible for the Motability scheme, which enables you to use your mobility allowance for a scooter or powered wheelchair for more freedom and independence. You may be eligible if you receive on of the following:
- Higher rate mobility part of Personal Independence Payment
- Higher rate mobility part of Disability Living Allowance
You can find out more about the Motability scheme and if you might be eligible here.
While using the Motability scheme doesn’t mean you get a ‘free’ mobility scooter, it does enable you to use your benefits for the vehicle as opposed to paying out of your own pocket.
Hiring Mobility Scooters
Another option worth considering if buying a mobility scooter is out of your price range is to rent a mobility scooter. If you only need a scooter for a limited time or only need them for specific events, then you can even consider simply hiring wheelchairs and scooters to help you out through the day.
You will only require identification and registration with the companies that offer these services.
Can You Find Cheap or Free Mobility Scooters in Charity Shops?
So, the NHS is not an option for finding a free mobility scooter, but might you be able to source a free or cheap one from a charity shop? That depends. Charity shops have them, on rare occasions, but they are often older models, suffering from wear and tear.
What’s more, as mobility scooters have specific restrictions in order to be legally allowed to drive one, most charity shops will not give these away to general members of the public.
Charities & Trusts Subsidising/Funding Mobility Scooters
There are a number of charities that can help subsidise, or even provide you with a free mobility scooter, in the UK (subject to availability and meeting their criteria).
- The Mobility Trust- This trust helps people with severe disabilities get access to larger mobility scooters, such as Class 3 vehicles.
- BLESMA – Surewise are proud to be partnered with BLESMA, who support limbless veterans. As part of our partnership, we provides 4 mobility scooters to BLESMA to pass on, for free, to their members. Beyond this, the charity can provide support and aid to their members in need of scooters.
- The Carter Trust – This charity provides financial support up to £15,000 to disabled people in the UK.
· The Nihal Armstrong Trust – This charity provides funding up to £1,000 for people 18 and under, and provides essential equipment local authorities do not provide.
· Variety Children’s Charity – Variety provide funding up to £15,000 to children 18 and under.
· Handicapped Children’s Action Group – This organisation provides funding up to £2,000 for children with disabilities and other special needs.
· Elifar Foundation – This foundation provides maximum funding up to £5,000 for a wide range of specialised equipment for children and adults with profound disabilities.
· Dusk till Dawn– The organisation provides funding up to £2,000 to disabled people of all ages.
· Comedians Golfing Society– This society has funding up to £2,500 for individuals 18 and under, supplying specialist equipment.
· Caudwell Children – This charity provides funding up to £5,000 for children under 18.
It’s important to note that many of these are targeted at younger people with mobility issues. However, the Mobility Trust can help people of any age; as can Independence at Home, who can provide grants of up to £500.
So, if you are lucky enough, you may be able to get a mobility scooter for free in the UK. If not, we have given you a few useful alternative options here, whether help from charities, spreading the cost or hiring.
Whatever you choose, remember our mobility scooter coverage, which covers accidental damage, vandalism, or theft, and starts at just £3.80 per month.