Family fund

teabag29

Hi ladies. I have heard of the family fund and was thinking of applying toward the cost of a holiday. It says on the site first applications can take up to 4 months, is this a realistic timescale or is this only if they are very busy. For anyone that has applied before how long did your first application take and how much were you awarded?

toomuchinfo

I have had 3 awards from the Family Fund. They are brilliant.

The first one took around 6 weeks, the next 2 took about 7 days. With the first one they ask for your financial info details and paperwork as proof.
You can apply once a year. The first award can be up to £1000, they gave cash the first year but I think people were abusing the system and not buying the items they said they were going to so now they give Thomas Cook or Butlins vouchers. Last year we got £550 of Thomas Cook vouchers.
They will provide a computer for your child, or driving lessons for you if needed.

System

we had a 1st award in jan this year it only took about 3 wks from start to finish. we requested thomas cook vouchers and were awarded £900 ! its paid for a break at haven a weekend in york and half the cost of a week in the isle of wight.

stassy23

i applied in july last year and was awarded in october so 3 months were actually going on our holiday today

System

hoperer wrote: »

this sounds a good idea. Who provides the money for this charity, and what are the hoops that you have to go through to get a free hoilday.

We haven't been away since 2002 as money is so tight. A holiday is the last thing on the agenda. Neither of us works and we haven't claimed any means tested benefits (good reason for that - past experiences!!!) although we do get 100% council tax benefit, have no kids at home. We just get by with what we get from bits and bobs.

We have never asked anybody for help so maybe we are a bit too proud.

Sorry i have just looked it up - as we don't have any kids at home now we don't qualify. Never mind - please ignore this question. We are too old also.

i assume this is whats called trolling !

peggylou4

we were awarded £500 in haven vouchers (wich have paid for a week at haggerston castle) £100 on a card for clothes and £200 argos card for bedroom furniture for our ASD/ADHD son.

kingfisherblue

Hoperer's post didn't seem like trolling to me - he merely asked a question, then researched the answer himself and edited his post to state that he would not qualify.

I would say, though, that I doubt if a child with severe asthma would qualify with the Family Fund. they tend to deal with families who have severely disabled children. I know that asthma can be very disabling, but on its own I don't think it would meet the criteria. I know several families with disabled children (myself included). Those of us who qualify have children who are severely disabled - those families with children whose needs are not classed as severe do not qualify (such as one child who is deaf and has learning difficulties - she attends a special school but still does not meet the criteria for the Family Fund).

There are holidays available for children with asthma through Asthma UK, although your grandson is too young yet. My child is also asthmatic, but because of his other disabilities and the high amount of care he needs, it is unlikely that he would be able to attend one of these holidays.

http://www.asthma.org.uk/how_we_help/childrens_holidays/index.html

teabag29

My daughter doesn't actually have a diagnosis yet but she is under camhs and ed.psy. Would this mean I wouldn't be entitled? she does get dla though mrc and lrm

sarahlucy_2

Hello - I found the following information on the Family Fund website - hope this helps


Who can apply

We give grants to families on the lowest of incomes to help relieve the stress of everyday life.


The Family Fund can consider an application if:

• You live in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
• You are the parent or carer of a severely disabled child aged 17 or under who lives at home. (The Fund has it's own definition of severely disabled please click here to read our definition).
• You are eligible to receive, and can send us evidence of one of the following: Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credit, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit*, Employment Support Allowance*, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit.
• You have permanent legal residency in the UK and have lived in the UK for six months.

Family Fund definition of severe disability

As the Family Fund has limited funding, and is unable to help all families caring for a disabled child or young person it has its own definition of severe disability.
To meet the Family Fund definition of severe disability, children and young people must have additional complex needs, or have a serious or life threatening illness.
ANDThere must be evidence that the child’s additional needs impact on family’s choices and their opportunity to enjoy ordinary life; and the degree of planning and support required to meet their needs is much greater than that usually required to meet the needs of children and young people.
AND


They must require a high level of support in three or more of the following areas:

• The physical environment
• Education
• Communication
• Access to social activities
• Personal care, supervision and vigilance
• Specialist resources, including Information and Communications Technology, required
• Medical or therapeutic treatment and condition management

AND
The child’s condition must be long term or life limiting. By long term we mean lasting or likely to last 12 months or more.
If you are in doubt as to whether your child or young person would meet the Fund's definition, please do complete an application form for us to review.

teabag29

ok well my daughter deffo has additional complexed needs but no diagnosis yet (they are looking at aspergers and adhd and she also scores high for conduct disorder aswell as having learning difficulties). So what does it mean when it says

'ANDThere must be evidence that the child’s additional needs impact on family’s choices'.

How can I show evidence?

daisy1981

Hi does anyone know the cut off point if earning please?