Design, Purpose, and Eligibility for VAT Relief

What VAT Relief Means

If you or someone you’re buying for has a long-term illness, disability, or dementia, you may be able to get VAT relief in the UK when buying certain products — including the Chatsie handset.

That means you don’t pay the usual 20% VAT on the handset, helping to make essential, accessible technology a little more affordable.

To claim VAT relief, you just need to confirm your eligibility at the time of purchase. It’s quick, simple, and there’s no need to provide medical proof — just a short declaration.

👉 Check if you qualify for VAT relief

Please note: VAT relief applies only to the handset, not to subscriptions or accessories.

The vision behind Chatsie

Chatsie was created in direct response to a widespread, often invisible problem: many older adults find mainstream smartphones overwhelming, inaccessible, and anxiety-inducing. This digital exclusion has profound implications, especially as more of life moves online. Banking, medical appointments, communication with family, and access to essential services increasingly require digital confidence. Without appropriate tools, millions of older people risk isolation and loss of independence.

George, Chatsie's founder, saw this first-hand when his own mother (recently diagnosed with dementia) struggled with an iPhone. It became clear that smartphones designed for the general public often ignore the specific needs of seniors and others with reduced cognitive, visual, or motor function. Chatsie was born out of this insight.

Chatsie is designed for people who need or want a simpler experience:

• Experience cognitive decline or memory issues.

• Have vision impairments.

• Have learning disabilities and need additional support. 

• Feel overwhelmed by the complexity of modern phones

• Are non-digitally native and feel anxiety around using technology

👉 Check if you qualify for VAT relief

Why Chatsie qualifies for VAT relief

Chatsie is not just a stripped-down Android phone. It is a highly tailored, accessibility-first interface and support system. Key features include:

• Simplified operating system: Clear, large-font text; text-based menu (not icons); no swiping required.

• Voice dictation: Easy-to-use dictation replaces the keyboard, crucial for those with dexterity issues.

• Stylus included: For those with tremors or weak touch response.

• Screen protector and case pre-applied: Reduces setup complexity and improves grip/protection.

• Pre-loaded essential apps only: No clutter or confusing options.

• No surprise navigation: Predictable behaviour, no gestures, no pop-ups.

• Always-visible 'Back' button: For easy orientation.

• 24/7 phone support: UK-based team trained to work with non-technical and disabled users.

Additional:

• Dictation redesign: Dictation functions like a voice note recorder, rather than live text display. This reduces cognitive load and prevents interruption/confusion mid-sentence.

• Scam Shield: Scans messages quietly for threats and flags them without raising alarm. Designed to reassure, not panic.

• Manage.Chatsie: Allows family and carers to help remotely, including screen-sharing which helps with troubleshooting an issue. 

👉 Check if you qualify for VAT relief

Chatsie takes a systems-level view of accessibility:

• Devices are set up and shipped fully configured.

• SIMs are inserted, apps installed, accessories included.

• Phones are ready to use out of the box.

This matters for individuals with impairments who would otherwise struggle with fiddly setup processes. It also reduces the dependency on carers or family for installation.

Support is phone-first, 24/7, and UK-based. For older adults and those with cognitive or visual impairments, this is far more effective than online-only help. Customers speak to a real person, with no automated systems or chatbots. Support is patient, jargon-free, and tailored.

Chatsie was not designed and then later retrofitted for disabled use. Its core design philosophy is about accessibility from the ground up:

• Built specifically for users who struggle with traditional smartphones.

• Every UX decision is tested with non-digitally native and impaired users.

• Even features like font size and tapping sensitivity are adjustable from a simple menu.

👉 Check if you qualify for VAT relief

More on VAT Relief

The Chatsie phones qualify for VAT relief under HMRC VAT Notice 701/7:

• They are supplied to individuals who are chronically sick or disabled.

• They are designed specifically to meet the needs of such individuals.

• They are not supplied for general use or with general functions - the phones are materially different in software, support, and setup.

While they resemble mainstream smartphones on the outside, the difference is in their interface, assistive tools, ease of use, and service ecosystem.

The Chatsie handset is normally £299, making the VAT exempt price £249.17. VAT relief only applies to the handset itself, and not any additional subscriptions or accessories.

👉 Check if you qualify for VAT relief

Only the upfront portion of the subscription option + the handset-only (hardware) qualifies for VAT relief. The subscription portion (connectivity, support, software updates) is subject to standard VAT rules unless otherwise updated by HMRC.

Chatsie collects and stores a signed declaration from each customer claiming VAT relief. These are retained for six years in line with HMRC requirements.