Charitable grants for ill or disabled people


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

Most charities will expect you to have applied for all the State 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:
Disability and sickness benefits – check your entitlements
Local authority funding for care costs – do you qualify?
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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 your postcode, your age and sex for a full list. You can then narrow down your results by medical condition or disability.

Use the Grant Search tool on Turn2usOpens in a new window

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

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

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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 supply a report from a professional, such as an occupational therapist or a social worker, or to 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 the ScopeOpens in a new window

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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.

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This article is provided by the Money Advice Service.

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