12/07/2021
Being a carer can be an immensely rewarding, yet often financially challenging, role. The demands of looking after a loved one can impact your own ability to earn, and there are often additional costs associated with care. Fortunately, various grants and support schemes are available to help alleviate some of this financial pressure. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the types of financial assistance you might be eligible for, covering local and national resources, as well as specific charities and governmental programmes.
Understanding Your Eligibility: Key Considerations
Before embarking on your search for financial aid, it's crucial to understand what factors might influence your eligibility. The landscape of grants and schemes can seem complex, but by breaking it down, you can better target your applications.
Local Support: The Power of Proximity
Often, the most accessible and relevant support can be found right on your doorstep. Many local charities and trusts are dedicated to helping individuals within specific geographical areas. Your first port of call should be your local carers' centre or the Citizens Advice Bureau. These organisations possess invaluable knowledge of local resources and can often point you towards grants specifically available in your community. Don't underestimate the power of local connections in securing much-needed financial assistance.
Charities Focused on Specific Illnesses or Disabilities
A significant number of charities exist that dedicate their efforts to supporting individuals and families affected by particular illnesses or disabilities. These organisations often offer grants to help with costs directly related to the condition. For instance:
- The Multiple Sclerosis Society: May provide grants for essential disability equipment, much-needed short breaks for carers, and support for families facing the challenges of MS.
- Macmillan Cancer Support: Frequently offers small, one-off grants to help individuals manage the unexpected financial burdens that often accompany a cancer diagnosis.
To identify charities relevant to a specific illness or disability, a targeted online search can be very effective. Alternatively, contacting a national helpline, such as Carers UK ([email protected]), can provide personalised assistance in finding suitable organisations.
Your own professional history, or that of your family members, can unlock a surprising range of grant opportunities. Many charities were established to support the families of those who worked in specific professions. Consider:
- Previous Professions: Were you, your parents, or grandparents doctors, engineers, entertainers, retail workers, or employed in other specific sectors?
- Family Service: Has anyone in your family served in the Armed Forces, or do they continue to do so?
- Public Service: Were family members employed in crucial sectors like nursing (including healthcare assistants), the civil service, or the education sector?
These occupational links can be a gateway to specialised financial aid designed to recognise and support the contributions of these professions and their families.
Membership of Professional Bodies
Belonging to a professional organisation or being a member of a specific body can also make you eligible for grants. For example, The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys offers a benevolent fund for its members. It's always worth investigating if your professional affiliations include such support mechanisms.
The Purpose of Your Grant Request
The specific reason you are seeking a grant can significantly influence where you apply. Clearly defining your needs will help you identify the most appropriate sources of funding.
- Specific Equipment or Breaks: If you require funding for particular items of equipment or a respite break, charities focused on the specific needs of the cared-for person or carer are ideal.
- Home Adaptations: For modifications to a home to accommodate a disability or illness, a Disabled Facilities Grant is a key avenue. This is a local council grant designed to help cover the costs of adapting a property to enable an individual with a disability or illness to live more independently and comfortably.
Helpful Tools: Grants Checkers and Helplines
Navigating the world of grants can be simplified with the help of dedicated resources. These tools are designed to match your circumstances with available funding opportunities.
The Turn2us Grants Checker
The benefits charity Turn2us offers an invaluable online resource: a dedicated 'grants checker'. This tool allows you to input your individual circumstances and receive tailored results of potential grants you may be eligible for. Furthermore, Turn2us provides a free 'grants checker' helpline (0808 802 2000). You can call this number, and their team will conduct a grants search on your behalf.
The Elizabeth Finn Fund
Turn2us also administers its own occupational charity, the Elizabeth Finn Fund. This fund is particularly useful as it caters to a broad spectrum of professionals and can often direct applicants to other relevant sources of support, even if they cannot directly assist themselves. Exploring this fund is highly recommended.
National Support Schemes Across the UK
Beyond local and charity-specific aid, each nation within the UK offers its own welfare assistance schemes designed to support residents in times of need.
Support Schemes in England
In England, your local council may operate a local welfare assistance scheme, sometimes known by other names such as a Local Support Scheme. These schemes are specifically designed to offer support during urgent or emergency circumstances. The specifics of these schemes vary between councils, with some providing vouchers for food or essential items. You can find out about the provisions in your area by contacting your local council or searching the CPAG website.
Support Schemes in Wales
Wales has a unified national local welfare assistance scheme called the Discretionary Assistance Fund. This fund comprises two types of grants:
- Emergency Assistance Payment: For urgent essential costs.
- Individual Assistance Payment: To help you or the person you care for maintain independence.
For detailed information on eligibility and how to apply, the Welsh Government website is the primary resource.
Support Schemes in Scotland
Scotland's support is consolidated under the Scottish Welfare Fund. This fund offers:
- Crisis Grants: Available to assist after a disaster or in emergency situations.
- Community Care Grants: Aimed at helping individuals in need of financial assistance to live independently.
Eligibility criteria and application details can be found on the Scottish Government website.
Support Schemes in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the Finance Support service offers assistance during financial crises and periods of need. A key component of this is the Discretionary Support, accessible via a dedicated freephone service. This provides help during crises where the health, safety, or wellbeing of you or your immediate family are at significant risk. Discretionary Support can be provided as a loan or a grant. In times of financial hardship, you may also qualify for a Short Term Benefit Advance or face-to-face assistance. More information is available on the nidirect.gov.uk website.
Low Emission Zone (LEZ) Support Fund in Scotland
For those residing in Scotland, there's a specific scheme to assist with vehicle upgrades if you live within a certain radius of a Scottish low emission zone. To be eligible for the low emission zone support fund, you must meet several criteria:
- Residency: Live within a 20km radius of a Scottish low emission zone.
- Vehicle Ownership: Own and be the registered keeper of a vehicle that does not meet the minimum emissions standards for low emission zones (generally Euro 3 or older petrol vehicles registered before 2006, and Euro 5 or older diesel vehicles registered before September 2015). You can check your vehicle's compliance using the Vehicle Checker.
- Vehicle Status: The vehicle must have a current MOT, be fully taxed, and not be declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification).
- Ownership Period: You must have owned and been the registered keeper of the vehicle for at least 12 months with no outstanding finance.
- Benefit Eligibility: You must be in receipt of specific means-tested benefits. Eligible benefits include: Adult Disability Payment, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Child Disability Payment, Child Tax Credit, Council Tax Benefit (excluding 25% discount), Disability Living Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Income-Based Job Seeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Universal Credit, and Working Tax Credit.
Funding is typically available for one eligible vehicle per property. Successful applicants for the LEZ support fund may also be eligible for further funding for sustainable travel measures, subject to availability. For more details, you can email [email protected].
'Find a Grant' Service: A Government Resource
The UK government provides a service called 'Find a Grant'. This platform allows you to search for government grants and check your eligibility to apply. When you see a specific logo associated with this service, it indicates that a project has been funded by UK taxpayer money. The service is continuously being developed, with more grants and functionalities being added.
Key features of the 'Find a Grant' service include:
- Grant Search: Find government grants and assess your eligibility.
- Notification Management: Sign up for grant updates and manage your subscriptions.
- Application Management: Sign in to view existing grant applications or initiate new ones.
- Feedback: Provide feedback to help improve the service.
Utilising these resources can significantly streamline your search for financial assistance, ensuring you don't miss out on valuable support that could make a real difference to your life as a carer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How can I find out about grants available in my specific local area?
A1: Contact your local carers' centre or the Citizens Advice Bureau. They are excellent resources for information on local charities and trusts offering grants.
Q2: I care for someone with a rare illness. Where can I find financial support?
A2: Search online for charities specifically focused on that rare illness. Alternatively, contact a national helpline like Carers UK ([email protected]) for assistance in identifying relevant organisations.
Q3: Can I get help with the cost of adapting my home for my cared-for person?
A3: Yes, you may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant from your local council. This grant is specifically for home adaptations to support independent living.
Q4: What if I don't qualify for benefits, are there still grants available?
A4: Yes, many grants are not means-tested and are based on factors like profession, membership of a body, or the specific needs of the cared-for person. Use grant checkers like the one provided by Turn2us to explore all possibilities.
Q5: Are there any grants to help with essential living costs during a financial crisis?
A5: Yes, national welfare assistance schemes in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are designed for urgent and emergency situations. Check your local council or the relevant government websites for details.
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