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The Trusts can help with individual grants for people who, for example, are chronically sick, long-term unemployed or on a very limited income, or who have physical or sensory disabilities, mental health problems or learning disabilities. If you, or a patient or client of yours, live in the area of benefit, and are disadvantaged by illness or low income and have a special or exceptional need for a service or for goods/ equipment that you cannot afford, then the Trusts may be able to assist. The type of goods and services trustees receive most requests for are cookers, refrigerators, carpets, beds, bedding, household and baby equipment, school uniform, school trips and transport costs. However, this is by no means an exhaustive list. Each application is considered individually and on its merits and all requests for assistance are handled in complete confidence.
Applications are usually dealt with quickly, particularly if the applicant is in dire need, but still only after the trustees have satisfied themselves that the information given on the application form is correct. They employ a Grants and Benefits Officer to report on the applicant's circumstances and make recommendations at to the grant to be given. In order to do this, the officer will arrange to interview applicants, either over the telephone, at home or at another suitable venue. First and foremost, she will check to see that the applicant is receiving all the state benefits they are entitled to. The trustees are not allowed, under the terms of the charity's Scheme, to duplicate benefits that should be paid by the state.
