Funding
In the UK, funding for a full-time wheelchair user (both paediatric and adult) comes from a mix of statutory funding (NHS/local authority), benefits, grants, and specialist schemes. Variation between Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and local service specifications can be significant so please always refer to your local service provider/occupational therapist.
1. NHS Wheelchair service – core route
This is the main statutory route.
What it covers:
For complex ABI needs, a clinical prescription, usually escalated to:
2. Personal Wheelchair budget (pWB)/ Voucher system
A route within the wheelchair service where, if eligible, you may receive a personal budget or voucher to put towards a wheelchair rather than being provided with a standard issue chair.
This can be:
Key points:
- Adults: 5 years
- Children: 2-3 years (due to growth)
NHS England policy establishes a right to a Personal Wheelchair Budget for people who access wheelchair services, whose posture and mobility needs impact their wider health and social care needs. The NHS Personal Wheelchair Budget (PWB) has been designed to give UK wheelchair users greater choice regarding their preferred wheelchair.
Available via your local wheelchair service. They will check you meet the eligibility criteria and explain your options. The PWB is open to you whether you have been recently referred to the wheelchair service (by your GP or occupational therapist) or whether you are already registered but now require a new chair.
3. NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
Often the key funding stream in severe acquired brain injury cases.
If the person has a primary health need, CHC may include within the care package, where clinically justified:
CHC is one of the few routes where:
4. Personal Health Budgets (PHB)
If eligible (often alongside CHC or continuing NHS needs), a PHB can cover:
This is more flexible than standard NHS provision but still clinically controlled.
5. Integrated Care Board (ICB) ‘specialist equipment funding’
Beyond wheelchair services, ICBs may directly fund:
This is usually via:
6. Case Management
In ABI contexts, case management is most commonly funded via:
Your case manager coordinates:
7. Children specific additional routes (education)
Children often have extra funding pathways compared to adults:
8. Charity grants
There are hundreds of UK charities and trusts that fund disability related costs.
They may cover:
Key facts:
Charities that can help
Access grants, practical advice, wellbeing support, and help with fundraising.
