GUIDANCE NOTES FOR GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS
IN NEED
who are sick, disabled or over 65 on low income
This is a guide to the policies and procedures of the
Charity. If you have any questions regarding the suitability
of your application or the information required, you are
welcome to telephone or write to us for advice and guidance
and we shall be happy to help. You should read these notes
before applying as we shall then be able to process your
application without delay.
Who may apply - IMPORTANT
* Only qualified Social Workers or Occupational
Therapists may apply for funding on
behalf of individuals who are sick, disabled or over 65 on
low income
* We are not able to help individuals outside the above
groups
* We do not accept or acknowledge applications made by individuals direct
or from any other agency
* Please do not reapply for the same person within 12 months
of any previous grant
Applications should always be first made to statutory
sources and any appropriate specialist charity (e.g. Medical
charities, employment related funds, armed forces funds).
The programme's aim
The aim of this programme is to provide urgent one off
financial assistance for essential items to the
beneficiaries defined below. To help us achieve this aim, we
shall be grateful if you would make sure before applying
that your application is within the Charity's criteria.
Who may benefit
The Charity will consider giving assistance on a one-off
basis for specific essential items to individuals in the
U.K. on low incomes and in distressed circumstances and who
are within the categories stated below:
| Older People |
Individuals aged over 65 on low income |
| Disabled People |
Children or adults with a physical or learning
disability whether living within a family unit or
alone
|
| People suffering from illness |
Children or adults receiving hospital or other
medical treatment for a long term illness
(including mental illness) |
| Amount of grant |
Up to £200 only. |
| What we can help with |
Essential items of need such as:
Laundry equipment
Cooking appliances
Heating appliances
Essential furniture, beds & bedding or floor
coverings
Essential clothing and footwear
Other essential household items |
The assistance we give is more suitable for items costing
up to £200.
We shall be grateful if applications are not made in respect
of items with which the Charity
cannot assist, as they can delay the administration of
applications that are within criteria.
In particular, the Charity CANNOT help with
General financial hardship for those outside the categories
stated
Payment towards items costing over £200 (e.g. wheelchair,
riser/recliner chair or bed)
Travel expenses, sponsorship, holidays or respite care
Educational grants, computer equipment or software
House alterations and maintenance (including disabled
facilities work)
Debts of any kind, including telephone, gas, electricity and
rent arrears
Reimbursement of cost for articles already purchased
Garden fencing or clearance
Motor vehicle purchase or expenses e.g. repairs/road
tax/insurance/licence
Nursing and Residential Home fees
Funeral expenses/Removal expenses
Medical treatment or therapy
Course fees including driving or IT lessons
How to apply
Social workers should phone or write to the Charity for an
application form. When to apply
Social workers may apply at any time during the year and distributions
are made daily according to the
funds available. In fairness to all applicants, we do not
make a second grant to the same
individual within one year of the last payment.
How we deal with your application
The application will normally be processed within 5 working
days and if your application is
successful and the grant has been approved, we shall send a
cheque with the letter notifying
you of the conditions on which payment is made.
We receive a large number of applications and in order to
contain costs, we are unable to
respond to applications that do not meet the Charity's
beneficiary or funding criteria or if
made by anyone other than a social worker or occupational
therapist. Please help us to keep
costs down by familiarising yourself with our policies and
procedures before applying. You
are welcome to telephone the Grants Office for guidance and
information and we are happy
to assist with all queries.
Terms and conditions
• The grant must be used only for the purpose for which it
is paid
• The Charity reserves the right to take action against
anyone who uses the grant (or any part of it) for any other
purpose without the Charity's prior authority.
Points to note
• We can only make payments to the local or health authority
and not to any beneficiary
• All applications are determined on their merits and the
Charity's decision is final
• The Charity receives more applications than it can fund
and regrettably we cannot always assist, although every
effort will be made to help
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