Living with a rare disease or disability during the cost of living crisis can be challenging. We have put together a centralised resource hub where you can find relevant organisations that can assist with various aspects of life. On this page you can find organisations that offer information and support relating to what grants may be available to you. Scroll down to see links that you will find useful or you can return to the cost of living page to navigate to other resources.

Cash for kids launched a Cost of living grant to provide emergency essentials to support the well-being of children who are struggling during the cost of living crisis. Support could include help towards food, clothing and household energy costs, but their website states they may also consider anything that helps meet children's most basic needs. Grants are £50 per child per household. Cash for kids provides others grants. You can find out more and see if you’re eligible by clicking on the link below.

Family break grants from the Family Fund – Family Fund work with a selection of partners in the UK to offer family break grants to suit your family’s individual needs. These grants provide quality time for you, and your family, to enjoy together to make memories. To see if you’re eligible and find out more click the link below.

Days out with Family Fund – Family Fund deliver grants for days out aimed to suit your family’s individual needs. Whether it’s the cinema, the zoo or the beach for a day, these grants provide some quality time for you, and your family, to enjoy together.

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG’s) - You could get a grant from your council if you or someone you live with is disabled and need to make changes to your home.

Disability grants – is a search tool to help you find disability grants nationally and in your local area.

Buttle UK - is a charity dedicated to helping children and young people in the UK who have experienced crisis, living in financial hardship and dealing with multiple challenging social issues. They provide support designed to improve emotional, educational and social outcomes through Chances for Children grants and, for some children whose home environment is disruptive and chaotic, grants which allow them to go to boarding school - You can apply for a grant and check eligibility via the link below.

Family Fund grants for young people 18 – 24 years - Your Opportunity is a dedicated grant programme which aims to enhance the life of disabled, or seriously ill, young adults, aged 18 to 24 years old, living at home. Young people cannot apply on their own but applications should come from parents or carers. Find out their eligibility criteria and what you can apply for via the link below.

The Family Fund gives discretionary grants to families with severely disabled children under 18. They have their own definition of ‘severely disabled’. The grants are for things not supplied by statutory authorities. Usually the grants are made to families on welfare benefits, but the fund may also be able to help other families on low income. Find out about the range of grants available and to see if you’re eligible to apply via the link below.

Support for Families with Disabled Children (SFDC) - Funded by the Department for Education and managed by Family Fund, the SFDC programme provides a wide range of grant items to families in England with a low-income, who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person. Find out about all the different grants and how to apply here. Applications are only available for residents in England.

A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is a type of financial help used for adapting the home. Some types of DFG are mandatory and are covered by legislation set out in the Housing Grants, Regeneration and Construction Act 1996. 

The Welsh Assembly Government has set a limit for a mandatory DFG of £36,000. This is the maximum amount of grant that can be awarded, but it may be reduced in circumstances where the applicant is expected to contribute towards the cost of the work. To see if you’re eligible, find out more via the link below.

Find energy grants for your home. See if your property is eligible for the Help to Heat scheme.

The Discretionary Assistance Fund provides 2 types of grant that you do not need to pay back. One is called an Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP) which is a grant to help pay for essential costs, such as food, gas, electricity, clothing or emergency travel or the Individual Assistance Payment (IAP) which is a grant to help you or someone you care for live independently in their home or a property that you or they are moving into.

Wellchild have listed some national organisations who provide grants for equipment, therapy and respite for children with disabilities in the UK. They have also included some other tips to help you get funding for the equipment or therapies that your child needs.

Variety – could provide you with a grant for a broad range of specialist equipment including hoists, beds, car seats, sensory and play equipment, assistive and medical technologies. Click on the link below to find out more and see whether you’re eligible.

Are you looking for a grant for specialised disability equipment? Steve Morgan Foundation - provides a range of grants for organisations that make a positive difference to those in need. Areas of support include poverty, homelessness, health and wellbeing, education and training. They also provide smaller grants to individuals requiring specialised disability equipment.

Newlife, The Charity for Disabled Children - providing life-changing and life-saving equipment when and where its needed. They also campaign to improve the outlook for disabled children and change lives.

The Hospital Saturday Fund – will consider giving grants to individuals within the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Partial or full grants are considered for the following:

Specialised mobility equipment, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, car adaptions, medical appliances and aids, hearing aids, nebulisers, specialised vision aids, specialised computer equipment, therapeutic equipment/treatment, orthopaedic beds, mattresses or pillows, riser /recliners chairs, lift hoist/aids.

Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy, Acupuncture, Speech Therapy, Osteopathy, Chiropractic treatment, Reflexology, Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy.

Home adaptations, walk in showers, accessibility adaptations to bathrooms, access ramps, non-slip flooring, stair lifts.

If your child attends a school in Denbighshire and you receive a qualifying benefit, you may be entitled to a grant towards the cost of:

• School uniform

• School sports kit

• Sports outside of school

• Uniforms for wider activities e.g. scouts and guides

• Equipment for activities to support the curriculum, e.g. design and technology

• Equipment for out of school hours trips, including outdoor learning

• Duke of Edinburgh

• Computers, laptops and tablets

Sure Start Maternity Grant - You could get a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child.

Is your child a resident of Flintshire and in need of free school meals and/or a schools essentials grant?

Do you need guidance on how to apply for a grant? Scope has provided some guidance on how to apply for grants.

Turn2us - can provide you with information and support about charitable grants through an accessible website and a freephone helpline.

The Discretionary Assistance Fund provides 2 types of grant that you do not need to pay back. One is called an Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP) which is a grant to help pay for essential costs, such as food, gas, electricity, clothing or emergency travel or the Individual Assistance Payment (IAP) which is a grant to help you or someone you care for live independently in their home or a property that you or they are moving into. 

Together for short lives have put together a family fact sheet which offers you advice on sources of charitable funding and other forms of support from grant-giving and wish-granting organisations.

Welsh Government Learning Grant - A grant for students aged 19 or over who are studying a course of Further Education at college.

Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability. The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:

• a grant to help pay for practical support with your work

• support with managing your mental health at work

• money to pay for communication support at job interviews

Please do share any useful websites or support organisations focusing on cost of living so we can add them to the resources. Your support is very much appreciated.