Applying - Individuals

Guidance Notes for Grants to Individuals in Need who are on a low income and have a serious, long-term illness/disability or are over 65 on a 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.

Who may apply - IMPORTANT

• Only Support Workers working within the Council or NHS Trust may apply on behalf of individuals who are on a low income and have a serious illness, disability or are over 65 on low income
• We are not able to help individuals outside the above groups
• We do not accept or acknowledge applications made directly by individuals or from any other agency
• Please do not re-apply 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 assistance for essential items to the beneficiaries defined below.

Who may benefit

The Charity will consider giving assistance 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/learning disability or serious long-term illness or adults with a severe and enduring mental health problem which prevents them from working

What we can help with

• Washing machines (via our supplier)
• Electric cookers (via our supplier)
• Fridges/Freezers (via our supplier)
• Beds and bedding (via our supplier)
• Vacuum cleaners and portable heaters (via our supplier)
• Carpets/Flooring where there is a health & safety issue (up to £250)
• Essential clothing and footwear (via a pre-paid Gift Card)

In particular, the Charity CANNOT help with:

• General financial hardship for those outside the categories stated
• Payment towards items costing over £200 e.g. electric wheelchair, riser/recliner chair or bed
• Dishwashers
• Travel expenses, sponsorship, holidays or respite care
• Educational grants, computer equipment or software
• House alterations and maintenance (including disabled facilities work and decorating)
• 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
• 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 can apply by clicking here or following the "Apply Now" link from the home page.

When to apply

You may apply at any time during the year.

How we deal with your application

If your application is successful and the grant has been approved, we will notify you by email. Our supplier will contact the beneficiary directly to arrange delivery. In the case of clothing, a Gift Card will be sent via post and in the case of flooring we will send a cheque to the referring worker payable to the Council or NHS Trust.

We ask that applicants wait 4 weeks before contacting the Charity regarding the progress of an application.

The Charity receives more applications than it can fund and regrettably we cannot always assist. In order to contain costs, we do not notify unsuccessful applicants.

We are unable to respond to applications that do not meet the Charity's beneficiary or funding criteria or if made by an organisation other than the Council or NHS Trust.

Points to note

• The Council or NHS Trust must have a bank account in its own name and be able to bank and administer grants for flooring on our behalf as we cannot make payments to any other agency and not to any individual.
• We rely on those third parties who apply on their client's behalf to notify/obtain their explicit consent so we may legally process information in accordance with the Data Protection Act (see below).
• All applications are determined on their merits and the Charity's decision is final

Terms and conditions

• The grant must be used only for the approved purpose
• 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.

Data Protection

To read the details about how we handle data, please see our Privacy Notice.