Personal wheelchair budgets
The personal wheelchair budget (PWB) provides you with a wider choice of wheelchair provision and aims to increase your choice to support your wellbeing goals.
The provision must be clinically safe and appropriate for you and can be from either within or outside of the NHS-commissioned service. Your mobility, postural and pressure care needs must still be met.
How does it work?
You must be eligible for an NHS wheelchair in order to qualify for a PWB, and you can let us know you are interested in a PWB which we can discuss further with you at assessment.
You will be sent an individual support plan for you to complete prior to attending your clinical assessment with the service.
You will be assessed by an experienced clinician and receive an individual assessment to establish your NHS provision. You then have a choice to make between four options.
A. Notional personal wheelchair budget – three options |
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Contribution from you
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Repair and maintenance |
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1. NHS provision
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None |
Free of charge via the approved repair service. |
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2. Alternative wheelchair
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The difference between the NHS provision you are eligible for and the alternative model you choose (from within the NHS range). |
Free of charge via the approved repair service. |
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3. Top up
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Cost of the features that you choose. |
You will need to pay for maintaining the additional features and their replacement. |
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B. Third party personal wheelchair budget – fourth option |
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Contribution From you |
Repair and maintenance |
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You can use your PWB towards a wheelchair purchase via an independent provider outside of the NHS. It needs to be the same category as the one you would be entitled to from the NHS
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The difference between the PWB value and the wheelchair you choose. |
A contribution is included in the final budget calculation; as the owner of a private wheelchair, you will be responsible for repairs. |
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Eligibility
At your assessment, you will be advised which PWB budgets you are eligible for. Although everyone being assessed for a wheelchair is entitled to be considered for a PWB, they are not always appropriate due to the cost to the individual, for example, someone with a rapidly deteriorating condition may not get the benefit they had hoped from such expenditure.
Notional PWB: alternative wheelchair
You can choose to upgrade your wheelchair within the wheelchair service range. The NHS will contribute an amount which is the same value as your prescribed wheelchair.
The difference in cost (including VAT at 20%) is to be paid to the service before ordering. The wheelchair remains the property of the NHS who will provide free repairs and maintenance.
Notional PWB: top up for additional features
You can choose and pay to have additional features added to the wheelchair prescribed by the wheelchair service. Payment (including VAT at 20%) is to be paid to the service before ordering.
The wheelchair remains the property of the NHS who will provide free repairs and maintenance but you will be responsible for the repair and replacement of the additional features via the approved repair service
Third party PWB
You will be advised of an amount which is the same value as your prescribed NHS wheelchair, together with a one-off payment to cover repair and maintenance costs that you will be responsible for arranging. (This amount will be paid direct to your chosen supplier.)
The wheelchair you choose will have to meet your mobility, postural and clinical needs and be in the same category as the chair prescribed, e.g. manual or powered.
You will need to choose a wheelchair from a supplier who accepts the PWB scheme and offers an on-going maintenance service for the wheelchair.
The wheelchair service needs to approve your choice before purchase. A PWB cannot be issued retrospectively i.e. you cannot buy a wheelchair and then ask for your PWB.
Your chosen wheelchair must be compatible with any pressure relieving cushions, postural /special seating provided by the NHS and with any other accessories provided.
How long should the PWB provision last?
A typical adult PWB wheelchair is expected to last a minimum of five years, unless there is a significant change in your clinical needs. If your wheelchair is still in good condition and is meeting your clinical needs, a new PWB will not automatically be issued at five years (ie. the same arrangement as for NHS only wheelchairs).
For children, changes are needed more often as they grow, therefore a PWB is expected to last a minimum of three years.
Can I get help with the additional funding?
You may be able to get assistance with additional funding through charities or other organisations.
What if I change my mind?
Unfortunately, we cannot provide a refund once the wheelchair has been ordered.
More information on PWBs
Those who do not meet eligibility criteria
I only need my wheelchair short term or for occasional use
You can contact the Red Cross or local mobility shops may be able to help you.
I want a powered wheelchair but for outdoors only
You may be able to get charity funding to assist you, your local mobility shop may be able to advise you, or you could try contacting the Mobility Trust
I only need a wheelchair for use at work/school
If you need a wheelchair for use only at work, the Access to Work Scheme may be able to help you: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If you need a wheelchair for use only at school, college or university, then you should discuss your need with the education establishment, or with their transport providers you have been told you need a wheelchair only to travel to school