Your OT will have suggestions. Potential chairs can often be demonstrated at home by a rep who works for a supplier. Some work for more than one supplier.

This checklist may be useful:

• What seating options and features are possible with this chair. For example, does it:
  • go up and down
  • ‘tilt-in-space’  – the seat-to-back angle remains the same while the whole seating system is tilted backwards
  • have powered leg rests?
• Will there be a spare cushion to allow for washing and drying when needed?
• How comfortable a ride does it give? What are the tyre options?
• What safety tests have been carried out? These should be both on the chair and, on the chair when travelling in a vehicle. If you are is going to sit in your wheelchair while travelling in a vehicle, the chair model will need to meet safety ‘crash tested’ standards.
• How long a life should it have? What capacity does it have to change with you. For example if your weight or posture needs change?
• How fast will it go? In the UK, wheelchairs are put in a class depending on their speed. Check out the current safety rules for using your wheelchair on the pavement and road.

• Will it be possible to use in your home and outside – what adaptations would you need to make?
• What about at work or college?
• How is it going to be transported? If you are going to sit in your chair while travelling, you will need a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) along with compatible clamping and seatbelt systems.
• If you already have a WAV, will it fit? Is it compatible with your vehicle’s tracking and clamping system?

For related information see the WAV section in Driving & Car Travel >.

This checklist may be useful:

• You will not have to pay VAT, so make sure the price you are quoted excludes VAT
• What is included in the basic price and how much are the ‘extras’ you want?
• Ask for a written quote, detailing every item
• How long will it take between order and delivery time?
• What do you need to pay when?
• Will the chair be delivered, or will you have to collect it?
• When you get the chair, will it be ready assembled?
• Will an engineer or physio or OT be there to make sure it is all correctly and safely set up and fitted?

This checklist may be useful:

• Is there a warranty or guarantee? If so, what does it cover and for how long? Wheelchair warranties usually cover manufacturing faults but not general maintenance or ‘wear and tear’, such as with tyres.
• What happens if something needs fixing under warranty? Will engineers come to your home, or do you have to travel to them? Where would you have to go?
• If it needs major repairs, would they provide a temporary replacement?
• Often a warranty is only valid if the chair has been regularly serviced and properly maintained. What is the cost of a maintenance contract? Does it include an annual service?
• What is included – tyres, battery, electrics, controls etc.? The tyres and motor might need replacing at some point. Batteries last approximately 2 – 3 years. What would these cost to replace?
• When servicing  or maintenance is due, what happens, where?
• Are there any call out charges?
• How long does it take for:
  • problems to be assessed
  • parts to arrive
  • parts to be fitted?

In general, you do not need insurance for a powered wheelchair, but it is strongly recommended given the cost and the possibilities. This is not just for loss or damage, but also for any damage that could be caused to other people, or other people’s property.

Check if insurance is included and, if so, how much does it cost and what would it cover? Or does it need to be arranged separately?

If you already have a home contents insurance policy, you may find that you can add the chair. But it is not usually easy to add on a powered wheelchair.

If you plan to travel outside the UK with the chair, you may need additional insurance.

If you receive the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP) or another qualifying benefit which you do not use to lease a Motability vehicle, you may want to consider using this to lease a powerchair instead. There are eligibility criteria for the scheme and a limited range of models to choose from. Your OT should be able to advise whether any of the chairs through this scheme are suitable for you.

If you have decided to buy your wheelchair and need to raise money to do this, it is important not to place your order or pay any deposit until all funding has been secured or pledged.

What you need to apply for funding: 

If you are going to apply for help you will need:

• a letter from your OT or physio confirming:
  • what type of chair will safely meet your needs
  • why this one is a good choice
  • what difference it will make for them
• evidence that NHS wheelchair services have carried out an assessment. This needs to include a statement from NHS wheelchair services explaining:
  • if they have refused any funding, the reasons why
  • if they will provide some funding, how much this will be
• an up-to-date quote from the wheelchair provider with details of costs, including any ‘extras’, insurance costs and maintenance contracts.

If you receive the mobility component of DLA and it is not being used for a Motability vehicle you could put it towards wheelchair maintenance costs. You will not need to pay VAT.

Where to apply for funding:

Depending on your circumstances, it may be possible to apply to Access to Work or Education for funding. Your OT should advise you.

• Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) / ‘Getting a Powered Wheelchair >
• NHS / Wheelchairs >