Funding Options
The NHS Voucher Scheme:
In 1996 the NHS voucher scheme was introduced for the supply of Manual Wheelchairs, and is now fully operational in most Wheelchair Services. The aim of the scheme is to give disabled people more choice of wheelchairs within the NHS.
Principles:
The key principles of the scheme are:
- Universal eligibility - anyone assessed as meeting the local eligibility criteria for a wheelchair may apply.
- Assessment and review of the users needs by the wheelchair service and prescription of a suitable wheelchair in consultation with the user (and, where appropriate, their carer or representative)
- Supply of the wheelchair through agreed suppliers.
- Continued access to NHS provision of special seating/pressure-relieving cushions if needed.
The Process:
Existing users of the NHS Wheelchair Service should contact their local Wheelchair Service directly and request an assessment.
New applicants should contact their GP or therapist who can send a referral to the service.
An NHS therapist or other qualified professional will assess anyone who is referred to the Wheelchair Service and they will be offered three options:
The NHS Option:
A standard manual wheelchair supplied free of charge that meets the users basic mobility needs. The wheelchair remains the property of the NHS and is eligible for free maintenance from the local wheelchair service contractor appointed to run the maintenance and repair service.
The Partnership Option:
Where a user wishes to have the security of NHS maintenance and repair services, they can choose to contribute to the cost of a wheelchair from a range of manual wheelchairs selected by the Wheelchair Service. The wheelchair user will be required to meet the additional cost of the wheelchair to the approved supplier. The NHS will own the chair and be responsible for its maintenance and repair.
The Independent Option:
The user can choose and purchase any manual wheelchair from the approved supplier, provided it meets their clinical needs. The user will own the wheelchair and be responsible for its maintenance and repair. The voucher will include an amount towards the chairs repair and maintenance.
There are considerable regional variations in this scheme in both how much the voucher amount can be and how the scheme operates in each area. Many areas now issue higher levels of wheelchairs than when the scheme was first introduced.
Powered wheelchairs, pressure relieving cushions and special seating systems will continue to be supplied by the Wheelchair Service.
The ‘Access to Work’ Scheme:
Access to Work aims to assist disabled people who are in paid employment or with a job to start by providing practical support and helping to meet additional costs associated with overcoming work related obstacles resulting from disability.
Basic conditions:
In order to receive Access to Work assistance, you will need to satisfy the following basic conditions. You therefore must:
- Be disabled (and the disability is likely to last for 12 months or longer)
Or
- Be in need of support at a job interview with an employer
- Have a job to start
Or
- Be in a job, whether as an employed or self-employed person
- Be in need of support to progress in, or take up work, on a more equal basis with non-disabled colleagues
- Be resident in Great Britain, excluding Northern Ireland, with a job in Great Britain (support can, however, be used to cover the client for overseas visits providing the job is based in the UK).
What type of help is provided through Access to Work?
Access to Work can help you in a number of ways. For example, it can help pay for:
- Adaptations to Premises and Equipment - Modification of an employer’s or self-employed person’s premises or equipment.
- Communication Support at Interview - Help with the costs of employing an interpreter or communicator to accompany a hearing impaired person, where there might be communication difficulties at a job interview with an employer.
- Miscellaneous - “One off” items of support that do not fit elsewhere, such as a grant towards the costs of deaf awareness training for close colleagues of a deaf person.
- Special Aids and Equipment - Provision of aids and equipment which a non-disabled person doing the same job would not need.
- Support Workers - Help with the costs of employing personal support for a job interview, on your journey to and from work or other help including Personal Reader.
- Travel to Work - Support when you incur extra costs in travelling to and from work because of your disability.
If you feel that the type of work you do is affected by a disability or health condition that is likely to last for 12 months or more, ask the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) at your local Job centre Plus office about Access to Work. They can put you in touch with your closest Access to Work Business Centre to check whether you're eligible for help.
