For most Americans, performing day-to-day tasks such as cleaning, shopping, or going to the mailbox are easy tasks that are often taken for granted. But for millions of elderly Americans and those with disabilities, these tasks can be painful and uncomfortable without the assistance of a mobility device such as a wheelchair or a mobility scooter.
Mobility devices such as scooters can provide you or a loved one with renewed independence by making it easier to perform daily tasks and socialize with friends.
Unfortunately, mobility scooters aren’t cheap. They can cost as low as $600 for a basic, three-wheel travel model up to $2,500 or more for a specialty scooter. If you’ve been denied coverage for a mobility scooter from your insurance company or don’t want to wait several months to be approved for one, you can consider buying one online or at a store.
But how do you pay for one if you don’t have all of the money on hand? In this article, we’ll discuss how and where you can get financing for your mobility scooter.
Mobility Scooter Financing: How to Get your Mobility Scooter Financed
Fortunately, just like about everything else these days, from cars to appliances to home remodeling projects, financing is available for mobility scooters, regardless of whether you purchase them online or in-store.
For example, the Best Power Wheelchair company partnered with Affirm to provide zero-percent financing on mobility devices, including mobility scooters, over 3-, 6-, or 12-month periods. You simply need to choose a loan that works for you and apply for financing. It’s that simple.
Scooter Direct, meanwhile, offers several flexible financing options, including long-term financing for up to 24 months. Mobility Direct partnered with Bread Financing to offer several financing options including a zero-percent interest option for 6 months. Buying a mobility scooter from Mobility Direct and getting financing approved through Bread also qualifies you for 12, 18, or 24 months of financing that includes interest rates as low as zero percent.
Almost all reputable mobility scooter retailers – no matter whether you buy online or in-store – offer some type of financing option; and if they don’t, consider taking your business elsewhere.
Mobility Scooter Financing with no Credit Check: where to Find Financing
Most reputable financing companies require a credit check to be performed to obtain financing for a mobility scooter. Having poor credit doesn’t necessarily prevent you from obtaining financing for a mobility scooter; you just may be subject to stricter terms if you are approved.
If someone is selling a scooter online because they don’t need it anymore, you may be able to work out an arrangement with them to make payments over a specified amount of time.
Mobility Scooter Programs for Disabled, Low-Income, and Senior Individuals
If you’ve been unable to secure a mobility scooter for your needs through insurance or a financing option, there are still other avenues to pursue, including:
The American Outreach Foundation
The American Outreach Foundation offers free mobility scooters for veterans and low-income families. You can apply for a free scooter by filling out a form on the organization’s website. To qualify for a mobility device, you typically need to meet one of the following criteria: have a prescription or recommendation from a doctor, show your proof of income, or have a denial letter from your insurance company.
Latter-day Saint Charities
Latter-day Saint Charities, a department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, facilitates donations to humanitarian and educational across the world. Another of their critical missions, though, is to provide mobile devices for free for people with disabilities and those who cannot afford one. Consider contacting Latter-day Saint Charities for help with a mobility device.
Veteran Affairs
Your local Veterans Affairs office may be able to provide a power scooter if you suffered an injury that led to a disability when you were on active duty. Your local VA office will evaluate your needs for a mobility scooter, and if it’s determined that you need one, they’ll work with you to order the best scooter for your needs. The entire process takes about 3 to 6 months.
Other Charitable Organizations
These are just a few of the charitable organizations that have programs to provide mobility devices for those in need. The Wheelchair Foundation has a list of other non-profits and wheelchair organizations that provide wheelchairs and other mobility aids to those in need.
Self-funding
If you’re still having difficulty receiving help with the purchase of a mobility scooter, consider taking matters into your own hands. You can start an online fundraiser on sites such as Crowdcube, Go Fund Me, or IndGogo.
Conclusion
If you need a mobility scooter to help you live a more independent, pain-free life, there is help available. First, try and get your medical insurance company – whether you have private insurance or Medicare – to cover all or part of the purchase of a mobility scooter. If they deny coverage, reach out to one of the charitable organizations to see if they have a scooter available to donate to you.
As a last resort, find a company either online or that owns a local store, that offers financing to make the purchase of a mobility scooter more attainable. Just about every reputable company which sells mobility devices should have a financing option.
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