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Using mobility scooters is one of the best ways for people with medical and physical limitations to live independently.
These incredible vehicles help people, who can’t walk, to move quickly and freely from one place to another in a big city.
However a mobility scooter such as the Solax Transformer is a costly vehicle, and not everyone has the money to pay for it. We have come up with this “how to get a free scooter” guide to help you understand the right way to get a free scooter.
Do You Qualify For A Mobility Scooter For Free?
The best way to determine whether you qualify for a free mobility scooter or not is to visit your doctor. A medical specialist will examine your physical limitations and medical conditions to determine if you need an electric scooter based on the following criteria.
- You are physically or medically unfit and can’t move independently outside and inside your home.
- You experience severe and unbearable stress and pain while walking around by yourself.
- You can’t use a walker or cane to walk because you need more assistance than what these assistive devices offer.
- You can safely operate the mobility scooter yourself.
Your doctor will prescribe a free mobility scooter if you meet these criteria. But if you don’t have any solid medical reason, you won’t be able to get one without paying for it.
Important Note: If you don’t need a mobility scooter for an extended period, renting one for yourself instead of applying for a free scooter or purchasing one is better.
6 Different Ways How To Get A Free Electric Mobility Scooter
Many programs can pay for your mobility scooter if you have an authentic prescription provided by a licensed doctor. The following are some of the best ones.
1. Medicare
Medicare offers multiple programs for senior individuals or people who need assistive devices to walk.
If you need to apply for a free scooter for seniors, Medicare Part B is the right program. It covers different types of free medical equipment, including mobility scooters.
Remember that the Part B program will only cover 80 percent of the total cost required to get a scooter.
However, if you have a supplemental policy of Medicare, the program will also cover the remaining 20 percent.
Otherwise, you’ll be responsible for paying that amount because of the standard Medicare program policy.
Suppose you don’t have the Medicare supplemental policy and can’t afford to pay that amount. In that case, you can contact the local Medicaid department to find out whether you’re eligible for the Medicare Savings Program.
If you’re a veteran, you can also go to the local Department of Veteran Affairs to get the money to cover the cost of the remaining 20 percent.
There are different funding programs that the Department of Veteran Affairs offers, like VD-HCBS, CHAMPVA for Life, and TRICARE.
Important Note: You will need to prove to Medicare that you need a free mobility scooter because of a medical condition.
The department will refuse your application if you don’t have the required documentation and a prescription from a licensed medical specialist.
2. Health Insurance Company
If you qualify for a free mobility scooter, your health insurance company might be able to help you. However, each insurance provider has a different set of rules and policies.
Therefore, you’ll need to check the contract or agreement provided by your health insurance company to find out whether they can pay for a free scooter or not.
If your health insurance provider covers such medical equipment, you’ll need to contact your doctor again to file all the documents you need to present for your claim.
Some mobility scooter manufacturers handle the health insurance procedures and paperwork to make the entire process easy.
3. Charities And Grants
You can get the financial support you need to acquire a free motorized scooter by opting for the grants that philanthropic organizations and community charities offer.
Most non-governmental and nonprofit organizations provide assistance to help needy people on a “first come, first served” basis.
Numotion Foundation is one such organization that offers a sponsorship program and grants to help people in need of wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Bear in mind that these organizations usually have long lists of applications as many people sign up for them. The issuance of their grants relies on the availability of funds.
So, you might need to wait for some time to get a free mobility scooter from charities and philanthropic organizations.
4. Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration can also help you get a free scooter. While it’s a federal program, many benefit decisions are made at the state level. That’s why applying for a free mobility scooter varies from state to state.
However, there are two different Social Security programs that you can opt for to get a free motorized scooter.
The first program is Social Security Disability Insurance, which offers medical benefits to insured individuals. The second is the Supplemental Security Income, which provides medical benefits to needy children and adults with disabilities.
While both of these programs are different, their medical coverage is identical, and they can pay for the entire cost of acquiring a mobility scooter.
Due to financial and medical reasons, the Social Security Administration can deny applications. However, do note there is an appeal process that you can use to make your case.
It’s important to note that getting a free mobility scooter through these programs is a time-consuming process, and you might need to wait for several months before your application is processed.
We recommend you opt for other methods discussed in this guide before using this one.
5. American Outreach Foundation
The primary aim of the American Outreach Foundation is to provide mobility assistance to veterans and needy people.
The organization offers powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters to individuals who can’t purchase the necessary medical equipment because of financial problems.
You need to go to the foundation’s official website to fill up an application form to get registered.
However, your application will only be processed and considered if you meet the following points.
- Authentic prescription letter from a licensed physical therapist or doctor
- Proof of lower annual income
- Letter or proof of denial from the health insurance company
If you don’t qualify based on your location or any other reason, you can still contact the American Outreach Foundation.
They’ll point you toward the right organization that can help you get a free mobility scooter based on your unique case.
6. Latter-Day Saint Charities
The church of Latter-Day Saints funds the Latter-Day Saint Charities.
It’s a Christian charity organization involved in humanitarian work across Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, they support needy people from the United States as well.
One of the main projects of this organization is to help needy individuals by providing them with different types of mobility aids for free.
However, the project mainly offers mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs only to individuals with disabilities.
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Free Mobility Scooter Questions
How To Get a Free Electric Scooter?
You can get a free electric scooter by getting a doctor’s prescription and applying to different governmental and non-governmental programs that offer mobility aid.
Regardless of the organization or program you choose, you’ll need to complete a lot of paperwork. We recommend contacting your health insurance company or Medicare before trying any other method. These are the easiest and fastest ways to get a free mobility scooter.
Can I Get a Free Mobility Scooter on PIP?
The mobility aid program works with the PIP (Personal Independence Payment) similarly to the DLA (Disability Living Allowance). You can get a free mobility scooter on PIP if you recently were awarded the enhanced rate PIP mobility component and have at least one year remaining on the award.
Can You Get Help Getting A Mobility Scooter?
Yes, you can get help getting a mobility scooter from different governmental and non-governmental programs.
First, you’ll need a doctor’s prescription to prove that you’re medically unfit and need a mobility scooter to ride from place to place. After that, you’ll need to apply to a program that can pay the cost required to obtain a mobility scooter.
Final Words
Mobility scooters help riders with disabilities move independently both indoors and outdoors. But they’re costly, so some programs offer mobility aid to needy people.
If you’re eligible but can’t afford a mobility scooter, you should contact any organizations or programs discussed in this post to get one for free.
You must go to a licensed doctor first to get the required prescription to prove your eligibility before applying to any mobility aid program.
Mark Plummer
Mark Plummer is an experienced bike mechanic who has built, repaired, and customized thousands of bikes over the years. A former mountain biking athlete, his cycling adventures have taken him all over the globe from the mountains of Scotland to the South Island of New Zealand. These days he enjoys the benefits of commuting to work and touring on his Dahon and Brompton folding bikes.This free cheat sheet will help you choose a folding bike by providing quick information on the 7 key considerations when buying a foldable bicycle!
