Help for Families Raising Disabled or Seriously Ill Children in England
If you’re a parent or carer of a disabled or seriously ill child and living on a low income in England, you may be eligible for support from Family Fund through the Support for Families with Disabled Children (SFDC) programme. Funded by the Department for Education, this programme helps families manage the extra costs of caring for a child with significant additional needs.
What Is the Family Fund SFDC Programme?
The SFDC programme provides grants to low-income families in England who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person (aged 17 or under).
These grants are designed to make everyday life easier by covering costs not met by the NHS or local authority, but that directly support your child’s additional needs.
What Can You Apply For?
Families can apply for a wide range of items or experiences, such as:
- Kitchen appliances (fridge, cooker, washing machine).
- Clothing and bedding.
- Sensory toys and play equipment.
- Technology (tablets, laptops).
- Furniture and household items.
- Books, games, and music.
- Outdoor play equipment.
- Specialist trikes/bikes.
- Clubs, hobbies, and activities.
- Family breaks or days out.
You cannot apply for items already purchased, or for things statutory services should provide (e.g. home adaptations, medical equipment).
Who Can Apply?
You may be eligible if you:
- Are the main carer of a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 17 or under.
- Live in England.
- Are on a low income, whether through work or benefits.
Child Eligibility
Family Fund looks at the level of support your child needs, not just their medical diagnosis.
Your child must require a high level of support in at least three of these seven areas:
- Personal care (washing, feeding, toileting, mobility).
- Access to social activities.
- Education and learning.
- Communication.
- Supervision and safety.
- Medical or therapeutic treatment.
- Physical environment or specialist resources.
Children in full-time local authority care are not usually eligible, except in rare circumstances.
Household Eligibility
Households must be on a low income or receiving benefits such as:
- Universal Credit.
- Child Tax Credit / Working Tax Credit.
- Income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
- Income Support.
- Housing Benefit.
- Pension Credit.
If you are not on benefits, you can still apply, but you’ll need to provide income details. Families with substantial savings or assets are unlikely to qualify.
How Often Can You Apply?
You can usually apply once every 12 months, provided your circumstances haven’t changed. Some types of grants may have longer waiting periods (e.g. up to 24 months).
How to Apply
- Register or log in via the Family Fund Family Portal.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload your supporting evidence (e.g. benefits letter or income details).
- Wait for a decision, this can take up to 12 weeks.
Applications are free, confidential, and you’ll either receive vouchers, prepaid cards, or direct delivery of items.
Useful Contacts
Caring for a disabled child brings extra challenges and expenses, but the Family Fund SFDC programme provides essential support to ease financial pressure. Whether you need a new washing machine, specialist toys, or a family break, this grant could make a real difference.
Don’t Forget
If you’re caring for a disabled or seriously ill child, on a low income, or receiving certain benefits, you may also qualify for help through government-backed energy schemes like ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). These programmes offer free home insulation and heating upgrades to make your home warmer, healthier, and more energy efficient.
Check your eligibility today, it’s quick, easy, and could help you lower your bills while improving comfort for your family.
People Also Ask
Who qualifies for a Family Fund?
You may be eligible if you are a parent or carer of a disabled or seriously ill child, or young person (aged 0–24) who lives at home in the UK and is not in local authority care. Your family must be on a low income, this could mean receiving a qualifying benefit or having limited household earnings. The child or young person must need a high level of support in at least three specific areas (e.g., personal care, supervision, communication), eligibility is based on needs, not just a diagnosis.
How much is a Family Fund grant?
The size of the grant depends on your circumstances and which grant programme you apply for. Through their main schemes, the Family Fund provides support for a range of items, from essential equipment to family breaks. There is no fixed “one-size-fits-all” amount, as grants are based on need and funding availability.
What evidence do you need for a Family Fund application?
You’ll usually need proof of your family’s income, for example, a recent benefit award letter or your last three months’ payslips. You’ll also need evidence of your child’s additional support needs, which can include a school support plan (like an IEP), or professional reports (therapist, paediatrician, etc.).
What items can I ask for in a Family Fund grant?
You can apply for a wide variety of items depending on the grant programme. This includes white goods (e.g. fridge or washing machine), tablets or computers, clothing, sensory toys, outdoor or play equipment, and family breaks. However, you cannot ask for items that have already been bought by you or things that should be provided by public services such as major home adaptations or specialist medical equipment.
How long does it take to hear back about a Family Fund grant?
Family Fund aims to make a decision within 30 working days, assuming you’ve submitted all required documentation. But this can vary, for example, if it’s your first application or you’re requesting a less common item, it may take longer.
Do I need to provide bank statements for a Family Fund grant?
Yes, you may need to provide proof of income. If you’re working, this could mean uploading copies of your payslips or recent bank statements that reflect your earnings. If you receive benefits instead, a benefits letter is usually sufficient.
Do you need a formal diagnosis for a Family Fund grant?
No, you don’t always need a formal medical diagnosis. Family Fund assesses eligibility based on the level of support your child requires across different areas, rather than solely on a diagnosis. That said, having reports from professionals (e.g. therapists, teachers) helps to build a clear picture of your child’s needs.
How often can I apply to the Family Fund?
For their main grant scheme in England (Support for Families with Disabled Children), you can reapply every 24 months. Other programmes may have different timeframes, so always check the specific grant scheme.
What is the “Your Opportunity” programme?
“Your Opportunity” is a special grant scheme for young adults (18–24) who are disabled or seriously ill but still living at home with a parent or carer. These grants can cover things like digital equipment, transport, club memberships, and other items that help with their independence and quality of life.
What if I need help applying for a Family Fund grant?
Family Fund provides application support. You can contact them via phone or email, and they guide you through preparing your supporting documents (income proof, reports on your child’s needs). Their application portal also allows you to save your progress, you have 28 days to complete the form.
Useful Resources:
Cost of Living Support Available:
- Household Support Fund (England)
- Cost of Living Payments
- Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
- Mortgage Guarantee Scheme
- Council Tax Reduction
ECO4 Support Available:
- Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Energy Company Obligation
- Ofgem Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Guidance, Delivery V1.1
- Ofgem Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
- UK Government, Help from your energy supplier, the Energy Company Obligation
- Which? Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
Other Support Available:
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