Grants

What are grants?

• Grants can help you with a number of things that you are struggling to pay for.
• They are often provided by councils or charitable organisations.
• You will not have to pay back grants.

Areas that grants can cover:

• Educational costs:
  • SEN or EHCP support.
  • Home tutoring.
  • Transport.
  • Adaptations and extra equipment.
• Energy costs:
  • Gas and electricity bills.
  • Gas bottles.
• Essential household items:
  • Food.
  • Fridge/freezer.
  • Cooker.
  • Washing machine/dryer.
  • Beds.
  • Carpets.
• Personal items:
  • Clothing.
  • Electronic devices:
    • Tablets or laptops for educational purposes.
• Larger types of grants:
  • Community grants to help fund local community projects.
  • Business grants to help people start or fund their business. 

Reasons you might apply for a grant

• Financial struggles
  • You might be on benefits.
  • These types of grants can sometimes be means tested.
    • This means that your earnings and savings will determine whether you can get the grant.
  • You could be homeless and need money to pay for food or for rent.
    • Food banks can help provide you with emergency food if you have a referral from an organisation.
  • You could be struggling to pay for your energy bills or essential household items for you and your family.
• Special Educational Needs (SEN)
  • You have been diagnosed or have a child diagnosed with:
    • Special educational needs.
    • Conditions such as Autism and ADHD.
    • Mobility or sensory problems.
  • Need help paying for your child's:
    • Tutoring.
    • Transport.
    • Equipment.
• Disability or care 
  • You could have a life altering or life ending condition.
    • A disease or disability that prevents you from doing things easily.
    • A terminal illness.
  • You are in need of care:
    • Grants may be available to caregivers.
• Community need
  • Charities and voluntary groups might apply for grants to support:
    • Those suffering with their mental health.
      • • Funding counselling and other activities.
    • Marginalised communities.
    • Kids clubs or after-school clubs.
  • Local councils might use grants to help with:
    • Community centres.
    • Public facilities:
      • Local libraries.
      • Sports centres.
  • Support for vulnerable groups:
    • Low-income families:
      • Food programmes.
      • School meal support.
  • Elderly people:
    • Home care assistance.
    • Social activities for older adults.
  • Disabled people:
    • Making public spaces accessible.
  • Housing and transport:
    • Developing housing projects for low-income or at-risk residents.
    • Supporting projects for better public transport and road maintenance.

If you are interested in what community grants might be available then contact your local council.

Who can I ask about grants?

• Ask about grants here: 
  • Your local Citizens Advice.
  • Your local authority.
    • Ask about the Household Support Fund, which may provide vouchers.
    • Apply for the Discretionary Housing Payment to help with housing payments.
    • If you need money to pay for fuel, ask about fuel vouchers.
  • Turn2Us
    • They have a grant search.
    • They will ask you questions about your situation and take you to the most appropriate grant.

Do I need a referral?

• Grants you can refer yourself for:
  • Lightning Reach
    • Apply for help with grants or energy bills.
  • St Vincent de Paul Society
    • They help with shopping and many other small acts of kindness that make a difference.

• Grants you will need a referral from an organisation for:
  • Trussell Trust food banks:
    • You can find your nearest food bank using the link.
    • Most require a referral from another organisation, but some may not.]
  • BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme
    • Can help with essential household items for children and families.
  • Use our services directory to find other advice agencies and charities.
    • They might be able to suggest grant providers and refer you.

Are you disabled or have a health condition?

• Grants for people with disabilities or illness:
  • Disabled Facilities Grants
    • Help fund making adjustments to your home such as:
      • Installing ramps or grab rails.
      • Make it easier to get and out of rooms and facilities, e.g. a stairlift.
      • Building an extension, e.g. a downstairs bedroom.
  • Family Fund
    • Offer grants for families:
      • Raising a child or young person with a long-term disability, disabling condition or life-limiting illness.
      • And living on a low income.
      • • Offer grants for many things, including:
          • Play equipment.
          • Days out.
          • Computers and laptops.
          • Toys and games consoles
          • Kitchen appliances.
  • Macmillan grants
    • You can apply if you are:
      • 18 or over.
      • Have a cancer diagnosis.
      • Low enough income and savings.
    • They offer £200 grants, which can go towards:
      • Energy bills.
      • Home adaptions.
      • Cost of travel to and from hospital.
    • You can apply by:
      • Phone on 0808 808 00 00.
      • Ask a medical professional to apply for you.

Ways you can apply:

• You will first have to find a grant or be referred for one.
• If you are making the referral yourself you will usually have to fill out an application, including:
  • Your details.
  • Reasons you need the grant.
  • Supporting evidence, such as medical records and financial statements.
• If you are getting help from an organisation or professional you will need to share details and evidence with them.
  • They may need to ask you for very personal details.
  • They also might need your written consent.
• If you need help finding a grant to apply for you can:
  • Look at your local council's website to find a grant to apply for.
    • They might be able to help you fill in an application.
  • Use the Citizen's Advice or Turn2Us website to find an online application.
  • Go into your local Citizen's Advice to ask for help filling in a grant application.
  • Sometimes your local library might help you fill in a form.

Tips for making a good application

• Check that you are definitely eligible.
• Provide as much evidence as possible.
• Be clear and honest in your answers.
• Ask someone for help if needed.
• Submit before the deadline.