Grants for disabled people. Who to ask?

[JustNotRight]

I was wondering if anybody knows of any grants for people with disabilities, & particularly if there are any that I can apply for myself?

I found a few on 'Lightning reach' but they all need a referral.
Very upsetting phonecall with CAB resulting in them telling me that a grant will not help me & my spending is out of control.

A lot of the grants say that the GP can help but how does this work in practice?
It's hard enough to get an appointment at all now, I can't see them spending their time filling in grant applications for their patients?

Who else can I ask?

Thank you, if anybody has any ideas.

What do you need the grant for?

Sillysausage General short-term income help tbh. I'm just drowning atm whilst I try to find a job.

Specifically though, waterproof bed sheets, incontinence pads, toiletries, personal care items, bus fare.

Most grants are for specific things eg turning a bathroom into a wet room etc etc.

if you are disabled then you may be able to claim various benefits - PIP is not means tested. UC has disability elements to it. Do you have a job adviser/coach? Some areas have disability specialists.

Thank you Octavia64 Yes I've seen some of these. I've found some that are to help women in general with clothes etc.

I received LCWRA on UC. Don't qualify for pip.

I think you’ll struggle to find any grant-maker to give £ unless you’re very specific about your needs.

so could you come up with a budget of anticipated costs related to your disability for, say, 3 months?

does your council have an emergency fund you can apply to?
dies the job centre have a skills for work advisor who can work through this with you?
is there a charity that relates to your disability that might have a helpline?

I’ll be honest, I think you’ll find it difficult to get a grant if CAB didn’t have any suggestions.

have you asked your GP if the pads etc would be available in prescription?

Has your household had a sudden shock/ change in income something like loss of a job or health crisis? If so the new crisis and resilience fund operated through local authorities may be of help for you. Look it up on your local council website. It is designed to stop people sliding further into debt/ hardship. No doubt they will scrutinize your income though. Why do CAB say your spending is out of control? I'm surprised CAB didn't mention this crisis fund to you as it's a big thing at the moment ( well it is in my charity/ organization ) as it's just starting up.

You need to speak to your Gp about your incontinence you can be referred to a continence nurse you can get products free or on prescription, do you claim benefits if not you need to contact job centre plus to sign on.

Thank you Gazelda that all makes sense. Yes, I'm not hoping for just £ but a voucher towards things (or however they give grants)

I've complained to CAB, we were talking about my general circumstances, they didn't ask the specifics of my disabilities (what I am asking for help with) or any of my monthly expenditure. Just the UC amount.

Pickledonion1999 Yes there has been a change of circumstances.
CAB said that I should be able to manage on the money that I received, so my spending is the problem.
I've just applied for the crisis & resilience fund, thank you. They ask for bank statements etc. happy to provide these.

Lomonald I havn't spoken to them about this for a while but I will try again. Things like the waterproof sheets are just general wear & tear I suppose but when they all rip/wear through at the same time then it becomes expensive to replace.

Do you receive benefits for your disability? If you are buying waterproof for your bed incontinence choice sell reasonably priced things.

CAB have just got back to me (after I sent my bank statements & said that they don't know what I spend my money on) & have suggested the crisis & resilience fund.

This is great & already applied for last week, so hopefully I'll hear back soon.

The other grants on places like Lightning reach, Turn2us, is there anybody else who can help me with those?
Obviously they may well say 'No' but I just don't know who else to ask for help with these.

I do Lomonald Thank you I'll have a look. I've just bought from general stores before.

Do you have a organisation for your specific disability?

With regards to PIP they always try to say no most of the time, have you thought about a mandatory reconsideration?

-waterproof bed sheets, incontinence pads,

speak to your continence nurse

• toiletries, personal care items,

Some food banks have these ask for a referal

Lomonald I've just been dealing with it tbh, apart from hospital appointments etc.

I have the incontinence & also mobility problems due to tears on both of my Achilles tendons. Anxiety & depression.

I have found a few charities to contact when I've been looking today, so I'll see if that leads to anything.

Thank you Isobel201. I applied over a year ago so wouldn't be able to do that now. I got 2 points for the incontinence. I've done the online checker last week & it still says that it's just 2 points for the incontinence.

cestlavielife Who do I ask for a referral?

With bus fare - are you entitled to a disabled person's bus pass? You can find the criteria and how to apply on your local council website. You can usually get one if you have severe and long term walking problems or would be refused a driving licence on the basis of health for reasons other than drug or alcohol abuse

You usually need to pay bus fare before 930am. Again check on your local council website

I think looking for specific support would help you establish a network rather than trying to do it all, is your incontinence permanent have you been offered treatment for it?

There is a directory of grant making trusts.

costs money but has detailed lists.

https://www.dsc.org.uk/publication/the-directory-of-grant-making-trusts-2026-27/

you can buy old versions for less money

Lomonald I have had some surgical options suggested but none of them have a great outcome. I'm on tablets. It's been 9 years. So I've had the bed sheets etc for about 8 & a half years then. They've done well.

Thank you Octavia64

Thank you TigerRag I'd forgotten about this, I applied maybe a year ago & it was a 'No' but I can try again.

Some energy providers and water boards can provide funds towards utilities debt if that helpful. Check your providers for information.

https://www.southernwater.co.uk/about-us/get-involved/hardship-fund/

I haven’t read through the whole thread, but have you heard of the Vicars Relief Fund? It operates through St Martin in the Fields Church in Trafalgar Square but covers the whole country and is not limited to vicars!. They give one off grants to help with specific items, so new bedding might qualify.

unicornsarereal72 I think you need to already be in debt to apply for it. It's a bit of a catch 22 really. They won't help me as I'm still managing to pay, for now.

I did get the bill cut down though.

Thank you viques I'll have a look.

What type of work did you do before as there are often hardship or benevolent funds? For example, https://www.retailtrust.org.uk/financial-aid

And if you have to use additional water because of your disability then your water company may give you a discount.

And if you need help with the costs of travel to hospital you may be entitled. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/