Personal wheelchair budget

After your assessment, if you are eligible to receive a wheelchair from the NHS, you will be given a personal wheelchair budget (PWB). This is a virtual amount of money allocated to meet your assessed clinical needs.

The PWB is designed to give you more choice and control over your wheelchair — ensuring it meets both your clinical needs and any specific requirements that are important to you.

You can use your personal wheelchair budget in the following ways:

Notional personal wheelchair budget (no cost to you)

Use your personal wheelchair budget within NHS services and accept the NHS wheelchair prescribed for you.

  • the wheelchair is supplied, repaired and maintained by the NHS at no charge
  • it remains the property of the NHS
  • it must be returned when it is no longer needed

Notional plus personal wheelchair budget (you contribute to your NHS wheelchair)

Use your personal wheelchair budget within NHS services and add your own contribution to upgrade or add extra features to the prescribed wheelchair.

During your assessment, the wheelchair therapy staff will offer advice and support to help you explore these options.

  • your PWB equals the cost of the wheelchair that meets your clinical needs
  • you pay the difference between this amount and the cost of the upgraded wheelchair or extra features
  • another agency or organisation may be able to help with your contribution
  • the wheelchair remains NHS property and is maintained by the wheelchair service
  • you are responsible for replacement costs of any additional features
  • the wheelchair must be returned when it is no longer needed

Third‑party personal wheelchair budget (choose a wheelchair from outside the NHS)

Use your personal wheelchair budget to buy a wheelchair of your choice from an independent supplier outside the NHS.

This option is only available if the wheelchair therapy team agree it is clinically appropriate.

  • your PWB equals the cost of the wheelchair that meets your clinical needs
  • we will contribute towards the cost of repair and maintenance of your chosen wheelchair
  • if your chosen wheelchair costs more than your PWB, you must pay the difference
  • a charity or organisation may be able to support you with this

Last updated: Wednesday 01 April 2026