A grant is a financial donation that you don’t have to repay. Many UK charities and trusts provide grants to help with the extra costs of ill health or disability. Find out what grants are available and how to apply.
What’s in this guide
- When to apply for a disability grant
- Are there special loans or hardship loans for disabled people?
- Can I get a grant if I get certain disability benefits such as ESA, PIP or DLA?
- Search for a disability grant
- Popular grant types
- The Family Fund
- Applying for a disability grant
- Other grants that might be available
When to apply for a disability grant
Most charities will expect you to have applied for all the benefits, local authority support and other help you’re legally entitled to before approaching them for a grant.
So make sure you’ve checked your entitlements. Read our guides below or speak to a benefits or disability adviser to make sure.
Find out more in our guides:
Are there special loans or hardship loans for disabled people?
Some organisations offer loans or hardship funds, but these are different from grants. A grant doesn't normally have to be repaid, while a loan usually does.
Can I get a grant if I get certain disability benefits such as ESA, PIP or DLA?
Receiving benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Child Disability Payment (CDP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) doesn't automatically mean you'll qualify for a grant, but some grant-giving charities use your entitlement to benefits as part of their eligibility criteria.
Each charity has its own rules, so always check the application guidance before applying.
Search for a disability grant
Use the Turn2us Grants Search tool
The Turn2us website has a free Search for Grants tool that lets you look for grants based on your circumstances and needs.
Just put in some details including your postcode and your age for a full list. You can then narrow down your results by medical condition or disability.
Search for a disability grant by category
The Disability Grants website lists the grants that are available by category. This means you can search for grants in equipment, housing or holidays, for example.
Find out more at Disability GrantsOpens in a new window
Popular grant types
There are different types of grants that you might be eligible for.
Holiday grants for disabled people
Additional needs can mean additional costs for time away from your home. Extra planning, transport, equipment and even insurance costs can put a much-needed holiday out of reach for many. However, there are a range of grants and subsidies available that can help reduce the total cost of the break.
Find a range of holiday grantsOpens in a new window on Disability Grants.org.
Grants for household items
Charities across the UK can offer help to individuals and families for help with the costs of washing machines, cookers, beds and carpet. You will likely need proof of your income and in some cases quotes for the cost of items.
Disability Grants has grouped all the relevant charities and listed them. You can find more detailed information on grants for household items on their website.
Transport and car grants
If you need help adapting your transport and have evidence of your need from a healthcare professional, you can apply to a range of different charities for help towards the cost.
Support can be money towards taxis or other travel costs, adapting your vehicle or grants towards a new vehicle. You might need proof that you need to travel for medical reasons.
It’s worth looking at the help that is available before you pay out of your own pocket, as many charities do not give money retrospectively. This means if you’ve already paid, you often can’t get the grant afterwards. You can see a list of charitiesOpens in a new window on Disability Grants.org.
Housing costs
Adapting your home to suit your needs can be costly and complicated. The main grant is the Disabled Facilities Grant, which is available if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. It helps with the cost of making changes to your home. This grant is administered by local authorities, so you'll need to check your local authority's website to find out what's on offer and how to apply. The grant will not affect any benefits you receive.
England: find your local councilOpens in a new window on GOV.UK
Wales: find your local authorityOpens in a new window on GOV.WALES
Northern Ireland: find your local councilOpens in a new window on nidirect.
If you live in Scotland, you can apply for the Scheme of assistanceOpens in a new window, administered by your local authority, see more on Citizens Advice Scotland. In Scotland: find your local councilOpens in a new window on mygov.scot.
The Family Fund
If you have a child with a disability aged (17 or under) who lives at home, has specific support needs, and you receive certain benefits or have a low income, the Family FundOpens in a new window has grants that can help you. These can be used on things such as washing machines, computers and holidays.
Search for grants if you’re on a low income
MoneySavingExpert have put together a list of grants, some of which are aimed at disabled adults and children.
Find out more about ‘Grant Grabbing’ on MoneySavingExpertOpens in a new window
Find other financial support
Use the Lightning Reach tool to check whether you could claim extra grants or financial support if you're living on a low income. In just 15 minutes you can find out how to apply for funding from charities, your local council and other organisations.
Create your Lightning Reach profileOpens in a new window
Applying for a disability grant
When you’ve found the grants you want to apply for, contact the awarding bodies and fill in the application forms.
Read the terms and conditions to make sure you fully understand whether you qualify before you apply.
You might need to provide a report from a professional, such as an occupational therapist or a social worker, or include detailed information about your finances.
If you need help with the paperwork, an advocacy organisation – such as the Older People’s Advocacy Alliance – might be able to help.
Find out more at Older People’s Advocacy Alliance
Read tips on applying for a grant at ScopeOpens in a new window
Are there DWP or Social Security Scotland grants for disabled people?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Social Security Scotland mainly provide benefits, rather than grants, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit.
Charitable grants are usually provided by charities, trusts and local organisations to help with specific costs such as household items, holidays or equipment.
Before applying for a charitable grant, it's worth checking that you're receiving all the benefits you're entitled to.
Use our Benefits calculator
If you’re living on a low income or have had an income shock, use our Benefits calculator to quickly find out what you could be entitled to.
Other grants that might be available
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, it might be worth looking for grants that aren’t just for disabled people.
For example, you could look for grants for people on a low income or for people who live in your area.
