community grant info

shegar

Hello im new to the website, my OH and I are both disabled both on high rate care and mobility, also on Income support, we need some items for the home that we cannot afford out of our benefits. ie bed, mattress, washing machine, do anyone know out there if we can apply for a community grant for the items and what the criteria is please if we could apply. many thanks .

wilf55

hi

as unfair as it seems i think you would be unlikely to get a community care grant the criteria seems to be along the lines of

to keep you out of care
if you have just come out of prison etc


you would probably have more success with a social fund loan

main difference being that you have to pay a loan back but it is interest free

apply for the community care grant you can only get knocked back!!

good luck regardless

debsxx

colin13

shegar wrote: »

Hello im new to the website, my OH and I are both disabled both on high rate care and mobility, also on Income support, we need some items for the home that we cannot afford out of our benefits. ie bed, mattress, washing machine, do anyone know out there if we can apply for a community grant for the items and what the criteria is please if we could apply. many thanks .

deffo apply u may not get all the money u need but u may get something towards it,I recently applied for grant for a new mattress and I got £155:) which went to wards the cost of new mattress which cost £189,as previous poster saids may b another way of doing this is a social fund loan which u pay back from ur benefits over a decent term and it is intrest free

descartesmum

Go for a social fund loan. They will take the small affordable repayments out of your Income Support if you do get it.

They have become more stingy in time with the amount that you can 'borrow'.

ashleyrossuk

when myself and disabled husband moved into our first house, this year we recieved around £900 to help with purchasing household items. I would try the community care grant first they can only say no and if you have no luck then try the social fund loan.

daska

I have no idea about the grants but...
1. join FreeCycle - google Freecycle and the name of your area and join your local group - there are all sorts of things available, and as per it's name it's all FREE, just ask for what you want and see if someone local can help.
2. ring your local council or housing association and ask for the names of local charities that recycle furniture and electricals, prices for people on benefits are often further reduced. (our local one fitted us out with chests of drawers for £6)

marsupial_mama

My hsuband's cousin, who is going blind (glaucoma) and lives on his own applied for community grant for a new settee and he got it.
It is not just about the care or out of prison (you can leave those pages blank) but also how it would help you stay out of care or make it easier for your particular health problems. So, if you are on DLA because of back/hip problems, for example, then a comfortable mattress is important.

As previous poster suggested - try community care grant first

shegar

Thanks for all your replies, I have telephoned today and asked if they could send me the forms to fill in for a grant if possible, I forgot to ask the operator from benefits centre whether you are able to have any savings before they will help , obviously I wouldnt think you could have savings otherwise you would use your own money before asking them to help,and also you have to be on income support to claim . I will have to wait until the forms come to see what questions are asked and to see if we qualify for help. Thanks

richard9991

shegar wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies, I have telephoned today and asked if they could send me the forms to fill in for a grant if possible, I forgot to ask the operator from benefits centre whether you are able to have any savings before they will help , obviously I wouldnt think you could have savings otherwise you would use your own money before asking them to help,and also you have to be on income support to claim . I will have to wait until the forms come to see what questions are asked and to see if we qualify for help. Thanks

i think you can have savings upto £500

keelyjrs

http://www.joblinks.org.uk/
Try this, they list all the charities that help people with disabilities. Many charities are occupational specific for example the Elizabeth Finn charity helped me as I was a nurse before I was medically retired

Good luck!

lolababy

Hi you are entitled to a community care grant. Dont let them push you into a social fund payment. Have a look in the Argos to get a price for the things you need. Dont put the lowest prices as they will never give you the exact amount.
State why you need the items and what will happen if you dont have them.

The same items cannot be applied for until two years have elapsed but you can apply for other items in the meantime. Example year one claim for a cooker can not claim for the same appliance for two years. Example two ,year one, second application need a new fridge can claim.

As Iv said dont go for the loan . Tell them that due to your limited income you would struggle to make payments and the disability benefits are for care and mobility needs only.