Guidance Notes

Please read these guidance notes before completing the application form.

Our Disability Grants for Individuals support people with a physical, sensory or learning disability living in Gloucestershire to pay for items or services that address a specific challenge AND are clearly linked to their disability.

Grants:

  • Are one‑off awards
  • Have no fixed upper limit. Most grant awards are under £1,000. Any application for more than £1,000 must demonstrate clearly that the solution is proportionate to the need
  • Are awarded at the discretion of our Trustees


Who Can Apply?

You can apply if you:

✅ Live full‑time in Gloucestershire

✅ Have a physical, sensory or learning disability

✅ Receive a statutory disability benefit

✅ Applying for something directly linked to your disability

Important
In accordance with our governing documents, we are unable to award grants where the primary condition is a mental health condition or illness.


What we can and cannot fund

We can consider funding for:

  • Items or services that address a specific challenge associated with your disability

We cannot fund:

  • Items or services already ordered or purchased before making an application or before a grant decision is made
  • Mobility scooters
  • White goods and flooring, unless the need is directly linked to your disability
  • Holidays
  • Everyday living, social or healthcare costs
  • Items normally provided by statutory services


Timings

The deadline to apply is the 15th of each month. If you apply by this date, your application will usually be considered at the trustees’ next grant meeting, held the following month.

 

What else do you need to know:

  • Only one application per person per 12 months
  • Applications must include a copy of your disability benefit award letter for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance (AA) or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).
  • A supporting letter or assessment from a relevant professional is required for specialist equipment. Examples of specialist equipment we have funded include magnifiers, OrCam assistive reading devices, Phonak Roger radio aid equipment, riser recliners, rollators and Synapptic mobile phone.
  • You will need to provide one quote for an item or service less than £500, and two quotes for items or services £500 and over. This can be a formal supplier quote or a screenshot of a supplier's published price for the item or service requested.
  • Grant funds are not paid directly to applicants but will be paid to the supplier or service provider upon receipt of an invoice.

 

Application checklist: Check that you have

  • Fully completed and signed the application form
  • Uploaded a copy of your disability benefit award letter (PIP, DLA, AA or AFIP)
  • Uploaded one quote, or screenshot of a supplier's published price for an item or service less than £500, and two quotes, or screenshots of two suppliers' published prices, for items or services £500 and over
  • Uploaded a supporting letter or assessment from a relevant professional (e.g. occupational therapist or social worker) if applying for specialist equipment.

 

What happens next

If we receive your application by the 15th of the month, you can typically expect to hear the result by the end of the month in which your application has been considered.

Please note that grants are never paid directly to applicants. We use preferred suppliers for most items, and other items or services will be paid to the agreed supplier or service provider upon receipt of an invoice.

We are unable to provide specific feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Reapplying

Applicants can reapply one year after a previously unsuccessful application.

Successful applicants may reapply one year after the grant award date.


Submitting your application form

You can send us your completed application form in any of the following ways:

Need help? Call us on 01452 614890 (Wednesday to Friday, 10:00 – 13:00) or email info@glosdisabilityfund.org.uk

Proceed to the application form