Financing and Grants for Home Mobility Equipment

If you have mobility problems, you'll know how useful home mobility equipment can be in helping you get around the house. Unfortunately, they are also relatively expensive. Thankfully, there are financing grants available to help you afford the mobility equipment that you need.

Charities

Some charities can offer financial help towards buying mobility equipment. Some of these will only be able to offer some of the funding, but others will be able to give full funding. Your best bet is to contact them and gauge their funding policies. Before they will accept your funding request, most charities will ask for a letter or report from a healthcare professional that outlines your personal circumstances and mobility requirements. If this is the case for you, you can ask someone like a GP, doctor, consultant or occupational therapist, as he or she should be able to provide you with this. If your situation involves a medical condition rather than a disability, you can contact the head office of the condition's Society (for example, the Multiple Sclerosis Society) to see if they can provide funding for you.

Below are some of the charities who may be able to help you secure funding for mobility equipment:

• Aid for the Aged in Distress - This charity provides financial grants for both elderly carers and those who are caring for elderly people. These grants can be used to help in a number of ways if the recipient has little money of their own. It's worth contacting them if you're struggling financially to see if you can get a grant for home mobility equipment.
• Elizabeth Finn Care - This charity helps people who have found themselves unable to work due to physical and mental problems, or who are struggling to survive financially during retirement
• Invalids at Home - This charity gives grants to help the disabled or people who are housebound due to a long term illness or condition. Grants can include mobility equipment (particularly wheelchairs), but also specialised beds and chairs.
• Margaret De Sousa Deiro Fund - This charity gives grants of £100-£300 to women who are struggling financially. Grants are given towards the cost of heating, clothing, disability equipment and convalescent holidays.

Social Work Departments

Your local social work department may be also to provide specialised mobility equipment such as beds after assessing your circumstances. It's worth contacting them to see if they can help you, especially if your situation is affecting your whole life. Other local authorities may also be able to help with various home adaptations.

Disabled Facilities Grants

Your local authority is obliged to give you this if your circumstances fit the criteria. Many home adaptations such as StairLifts and wheelchair ramps fall under this umbrella. You can get an application form from your local authority.

Loans

If all else fails, a loan may be the only option, but don't take one out unless you have the means to repay it (plus the interest).

There are a number of organisations who can help you with the cost of home mobility equipment. Many people who genuinely need such equipment are often afraid to ask for help because they feel that they won't be eligible, but the criteria in most cases is relatively simple: if your circumstances are deemed to warrant it.