Family fund holiday's

[Mamazon]

Has anyone applied for one me either the haven or thomas book holiday grants? How do they work? Are they a better/easier option than the usual cash grant. I normally get the cash and we either go camping or we put it towards a holiday with my parents but i an thinkin it would be nice to have it all arranged for me. So he anyone can give me the pro's and con's of the different options i'd be gratefull

[Mamazon]

Sorry, posted this from my mobile ( strong as my addiction is) so the typo's are worse than usual.

[2shoes]

we just get money and book ourselves. off to rainy wiltshire next week

[2shoes]

i apply about febuary(but if first time do it earlier) then it comes about 6-8 weeks later. is £380 so makes a lot of difference.

[Raine3]

I have just put in a first application for a bath seat and specialist car seat, can I apply for the holiday as well or is it just one or the other?

I have just posted DLA & other benefits as I found out that you can get a £60 reduction on your winter gas/elec bill ... & road tax paid in some circumstances, but I am still looking into it x

[Mamazon]

the road tax is only if you have a blue badge though isn't it?

[HairyMaclary]

Road tax is only if you get the high rate mobility part of the DLA. What's this about a reduction on winter fuel bills, can you post a link? I haven't heard about that before. Thanks

[Raine3]

Hi Hairy... £60 off your gas & £30 off elec winter bills (two installments) if a member of your household is on fullDLA - 0845 601 2006 ... british gas only, but I would phone and check first as someone has told me they don't do it anymore & some say they still do !!!

There is also a water discount on what they call a social tariff, again phone your provider and ask for a discount form, I'm not 100% but I think they cap your bill at under £30 a month due to the fact that you may have extra washing (like clothes & towels and so on) and bathing to do, if you look in the threads it's called DLA & other benefits.

[Mamazon]

has no one tried the Haven or Thomas Cook option then?

I wanted to know how they worked from someone who had tried them. Are they a better option, do you get more from those options.....or do you end up having to pay extra to get even a basic holiday?

[Nat1H]

You aren't limited to the holiday company you use. The family fund gives the grant to Barrhead Travel who hold it in an account for you to use with anyone who has ABTA to their name!
To be honest, I would take the money. We had a bloody nightmare booking a holiday with Barrhead Travel. They didn't pay the final payment and we nearly lost the holiday - even though we had topped it up with our own money!