Applying for charitable grants

What a charitable grant can do

A grant can be money, an item or a service for a particular need. It is usually not a loan, but conditions still apply. Some funds help with essential household items; others support disability equipment or particular activities. Check benefits and NHS or council support too. Some charities expect those routes to be explored first, and will not fund something that a public service should provide.

Find a fund that matches the person

The free Turn2us Grants Search can suggest charities based on circumstances. Search using the person’s location, age, disability and current or previous work. A parent’s or partner’s employment history may open other routes. Read the actual charity’s rules, not just a search result. Check whether applications are open, the item is covered, and whether you can apply yourself or need an accepted professional referrer. A possible match is not an award.

Ask about local help when essentials are urgent

Do not wait for a charity decision if there is no food, heating or another essential. Ask your council about local welfare assistance and the Crisis and Resilience Fund, England’s current council crisis-support route. People do not have to receive benefits to seek this help. Local eligibility and application arrangements differ. GOV.UK says Crisis and Resilience Fund payments do not affect benefits; that specific protection must not be assumed for every charitable grant.

Family Fund: children and current application limits

Family Fund’s England Support for Families with Disabled Children programme is for qualifying low-income families with a disabled or seriously ill child aged 17 or younger. The main carer applies. It considers high support needs across at least three of its specified areas; a diagnosis or disability benefit award alone does not establish eligibility. From 24 September 2026 to the end of March 2027, this programme accepts first-time applicants only. Its separate Your Opportunity programme for ages 18–24 is listed as closed at this guide’s review. Use the current programme pages before starting.

Independence at Home: an adult or child living at home

Independence at Home may contribute towards eligible disability equipment or adaptations where disability or long-term illness seriously affects daily life and the person cannot afford the item. An accepted health, social care, housing or charity professional must apply; individuals cannot apply directly. Residency, savings and other conditions apply. The charity excludes people living in residential care or hospital. Public funding routes must be explored first. Its contribution may not cover the full cost.

Percy Bilton: essential household items

The Percy Bilton Charity considers specified essential items for people on low incomes in distressed circumstances, including children and adults with a physical or learning disability or serious long-term illness. Examples include appliances, beds and essential clothing. Applications must come through an accepted council or NHS Trust worker, such as a social worker, occupational therapist or community psychiatric nurse. It does not accept direct individual applications or applications from unrelated agencies. It does not fund debts, holidays or medical treatment.

Applying for someone else: choices and authority

Ask the person what they want and agree what help you will give. For a child, check who the charity accepts as their parent or carer applicant and involve the child as appropriate. Having a learning disability does not automatically mean an adult cannot decide. Check consent requirements before sharing medical or financial records. A parent, partner or worker does not automatically have authority over another adult’s finances. A DWP appointeeship concerns benefits, not every money decision. If the adult cannot make the relevant decision despite support, ask about the lawful decision process and any appropriate attorney or deputy authority.

Ask for access support and prepare relevant evidence

Ask for help with forms, accessible explanations, a paper route where offered, or an accepted referrer. Family Fund offers application help and a postal form route. Other funds may require a professional to submit online. Prepare only what the charity requests: income and savings evidence, relevant reports, and a clear explanation of the need. Describe the practical difference the item would make, using the person’s own priorities. Ask how documents can be sent securely. Keep a copy and application reference.

Get a complete price and wait for approval

Ask whether a written quote, professional assessment or approved supplier is required. Include delivery, installation and any necessary removal costs, and identify who will pay ongoing running or maintenance costs. Explain other funding already requested or awarded so the same cost is not funded twice. Family Fund, Independence at Home and Percy Bilton exclude items already bought. Do not order, pay a deposit or book work relying on a hoped-for grant; obtain the fund’s written agreement first.

Check effects on benefits and other financial assessments

A charitable award is not automatically ignored for every benefit. Cash, regular payments and goods can be treated differently, and money held in an account may matter. Ask a benefits adviser about the particular award before accepting or arranging payment. Keep the award letter and explain its purpose and any spending deadline. Ask what must be reported to the relevant benefit office. If the person pays assessed care charges, also ask the council how it will treat the award.

Understand the decision and use an award as agreed

Ask when to expect a decision and how to follow up. Funding can run out even when someone meets the criteria. If refused, ask for the reason and whether a review is available; there is no universal charitable-grant appeal right. Family Fund has an eligibility appeal route, while Percy Bilton states its decisions are final and does not routinely notify unsuccessful applicants. If awarded, check the payment method, permitted purchase, deadline and evidence required afterwards. Ask before changing the item or using unspent funds differently.

Protect personal information and watch for scams

Use contact details from the charity’s official website. The Charity Commission register can help verify registered charities, although some legitimate charities are exempt or too small to appear. A genuine application may need financial evidence, but a helper or fund should not need your bank PIN, password or one-time security code. Pause an unexpected request to pay to release a grant and verify it independently. Contact your bank promptly if you have shared banking information with a suspected scammer.

Asking a charity for a grant

Start with what you need

Find possible grants

Ask for help applying

Prepare costs and information

Decisions, benefits and safe spending

What you can do next

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