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Original poster

Family Fund - Has anyone applied?

17 replies

Mumtoprem · 21/04/2012 07:52

Our daughter has had a host of health problems (she's an extremely prem baby) and recently we have been allocated a keyworker because of the number of professionals she sees. The keyworker has suggested we may be eligible to apply to the family fund. This is not something we have thought of before and we have just struggled on not knowing anything about the benefits we may have been entitled to.

Has anyone else on here applied to the family fund? And is this mainly designed for those in receipt of benefits (I work full time)?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Michelle

OP posts:
PositiveAttitude · 21/04/2012 08:08

Hi, I applied last year for my daughter and we were awarded what we applied for, which was fantastic. From what I remember it was not connected to any means tested benefits, because we dont get any of those anyway. I think it was just a case that if she got DLA, which she did, then we could apply.

Its worth applying I am sure.

ArthurPewty · 21/04/2012 08:10

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Original poster
Mumtoprem · 21/04/2012 08:10

Thanks for the reply. We are not in receipt of DLA either - but something else that was suggested to us we might want to apply for.

Michelle

OP posts:
ArthurPewty · 21/04/2012 08:16

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HecateTrivia · 21/04/2012 08:19

Yes. We have been helped several times. You have to be on WTC, or CTC, or HB or similar. Their website has a list. You don't have to be on out of work benefits, such as IS or JSA to be eligible, but you can't be earning millions either! Grin

They have very kindly helped us with a holiday, beds, fencing and a couple of other things over the years.

Q&A here

HecateTrivia · 21/04/2012 08:22

x-post, oh yes, DLA is far more important than applying for a FF grant.

If she qualifies for DLA (middle or high rate care), then apply for Carers Allowance.

hazeyjane · 21/04/2012 08:34

have the criteria changed? we got an award last year before ds got dla.

they tend to award a lump sum, so we needed money for a special car seat, but they asked if we needed anything else. they wouldn't give us money for driving lessons because with the carseat it would have been too much, but they did give us vouchers for play equipment for ds and a tumble drier.

If you apply, a person from the fund will visit and have a chat about how they work (the lady that visited us was lovely)

Agree that you should look at dla, ask your keyworker for info.

ArthurPewty · 21/04/2012 08:36

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hazeyjane · 21/04/2012 08:40

oh dear, maybe they just thought we were dodgy!!

HecateTrivia · 21/04/2012 09:10

no, they tend to come out to see you the first time you apply

hazeyjane · 21/04/2012 09:23

phew, thats ok then!

maybe they are more likely to visit if you don,t get dla.

ArthurPewty · 21/04/2012 09:49

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diogenidae · 21/04/2012 10:12

we applied this year for ds - HFA gets HRC DLA, we didn't get a visit. They implied that if your child gets HR DLA then they don't visit but then I read about people here getting visits despite getting HR - so who knows.

We got money towards an ipad, wii & TV, the first grant is more generous than subsequent ones. It is lovely for ds to have something extra & fun that we would never have bought otherwise but the DLA is far far more important - OP if you have limited time & emotional resources definitely make the DLA a priority.

Chundle · 23/04/2012 13:01

Sometimes ff don't say you have to be in receipt of dla it just depends what the child's issues are its def worth applying to them for a grant. We got a bubble lamp and money for outings last year. I've just reapolied for driving lessons this year

lentilbake · 23/04/2012 15:59

i got a grant £800 worth last year. As far as I remember you dont have to have DLA but you need to have either income support, jsa, housing benefi, concil tax beenefit, or tax credits

i think whether they come out to visit you or not depend on whether they have officers in your area.

Definitely apply for DLA it wasnt the DLA so much taht helped me but the much higher tax credits I got becaue I ahd 2 children getting DLA

Original poster
Mumtoprem · 23/04/2012 16:32

Thanks all - we are also starting the forms for DLA. I am usually quite good with forms but struggling with the DLA form!

OP posts:
laura4jasmine · 23/04/2012 20:53

Hi, I applied to FF for 1st time and just got an award last week. DH works and we get DLA for 2dc (hrc and mrc). I had a phone call and lady told me they tend to phone at the end of their financial year to save money on visits. They were lovely and very helpful. Totally agree though that DLA is the priority. Very hard form, emotionally draining (don't mean to sound like a drama queen) having to put down every detail of dc conditions. We have just been through it and had the help of a wonderful woman from the council who came to our house and helped me fill in the form. Good luck

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