Other services in disability services

Disability Services can grant a person with disabilities a vehicle such as a car or a van if the person’s need for mobility equipment or transport caused by their illness or disability is continuous and daily. Equipment supporting movement is allocated to those who need it the most. When a decision concerning the procurement subsidy is being made, the matters considered include the use and transportation of the aids and the person’s disability-, illness- or social life-related reasons for why they need their own car.

In the application, it is important to present how the aid would facilitate the movement of a severely disabled person. When it comes to families with children, the space requirement caused by the aids is also assessed.

The compensation granted for the procurement of a car is half of the price of a reasonably priced car (including delivery costs), however, the maximum is EUR 6,000 as a rule.

The costs take into account a suitable and appropriate car’s reasonable procurement price which includes the car, automatic transmission, and power steering. The reasonable price is determined case-specifically and in accordance with the customer’s situation. A car’s reasonable price depends on the customer’s overall situation; things such as aids they need to take with them, the size of their family, and so on. If the customer purchases a car that is more expensive than the reasonable price and which the customer does not necessarily need due to a disability, the applicant is responsible for the difference in prices.

The car tax refund, insurance indemnity (e.g. car is broken or was involved in a car accident), the selling price of the old car, possible discounts, and other possible benefits are deducted from the price of the car deemed to be reasonably priced. In case of a total-loss car, the applicant shall deliver all the insurance company documents that show the reason for and investigation of the damage. The estimated price of the old car used by the customer can also be taken into account, even if the car has not been sold in connection to the trade.

Compensation for the trading of cars can be deemed to be justified if the applicant’s need (caused by a disability or illness) has materially changed or the car is for some reason unusable. In their application, the disabled person must be able to present the prerequisites and reasons for trading the car. A decrease in the value of the current car or other financial reasons is not acceptable reasons.

In connection to the trade, the applicant shall deliver a condition review of the car, a quote for the new car, a technical itemisation of the equipment standard, and how many kilometers the car to be purchased has been driven.

The condition review can be performed by a car dealer or, in case of a car accident, a damage inspection company approved by insurance companies. If necessary, a Disability Services employee can also request, on behalf of the customer, that the car’s condition be reviewed.

When applying for a car procurement subsidy, deliver to the Disabled Services the disability services application and the following appendices:

• an account of the car’s intended purpose,
• an occupational therapist’s or physiotherapist’s statement on the need for a car/aid,
• an advance tax decision concerning the car tax refund for a car registered in Finland for the first time,
• decisions on the other subsidies and compensation granted for the procurement (e.g. an insurance company’s indemnity).
• a car dealer’s written cost estimate of the car to be purchased and a technical itemisation of the car’s standard of equipment,
• a car dealer’s written estimate of the reimbursement recoverable from the possible trade-in car,
• cost estimates of the accessories necessary due to a disability or illness and an estimate of the costs caused by the alteration work,
• a copy of the driving licence,
• a condition review of the used car, if the car to be purchased is a used one.

If the accessories necessary due to the disability are not included in the car as standard equipment, the client will be reimbursed for their reasonable purchase costs. As a rule, reasonable purchase costs must not exceed EUR 2,000, but decisions are always made on a case-by-case basis. A standard accessory is an accessory that is included in the price of the car and which improves the car’s features and handling.  A necessary accessory enables the use of the car. The assessment of the degree of necessity takes into account the applicant’s disability, regular and daily need for transport, regular use of aids, and other matters related to the disability, illness, or social life.

The car’s maintenance costs, snow tires or other usual accessories are not compensated for. Aids such as electrically operated rotating seats can be given to the customer for their personal use so that the ownership over the aid remains with the municipality.

If a disabled person has procured an appropriate car required by their disability or illness and the car is such that the necessary accessories or alteration work can be implemented at a reasonable cost, the municipality reimburses the costs caused by these accessories or alternative work in full.

When applying for necessary equipment or accessories required by a disability, deliver to the Disabled Services the disability services application and the following appendices:

• a report on how the accessories are necessary,
• a technical itemisation of the car’s standard of equipment,
• an itemised quote for the accessory installation work,
• a copy of the driving license.

The purpose of reimbursing disabled persons for the costs of non-vehicle-related equipment, appliances and devices is to support and promote their independence at home. Financial assistance may be granted towards the costs of a household appliance if the appliance is necessary and the applicant is unable to perform household chores independently without the appliance or if the person’s disability or impairment would worsen without the appliance.

The maximum amount of assistance is half of the reasonable purchase costs. The price of a standard appliance is considered reasonable. The need for household appliances is always assessed on a case-by-case basis. The assessment also takes account of other services granted, e.g. home care and the amount of personal assistance.

Hobby-related equipment is primarily applied for through medical rehabilitation. If the person is not entitled to an assistive device through medical rehabilitation, they may be reimbursed for the costs of the device based on the Act on Disability Services and Assistance. The need for a device is always assessed based on the individual situation. Disability Services may also grant the required modifications to the device. Reimbursement may be granted for half of the reasonable costs, usually no more than EUR 250.