A new washing machine because your child’s incontinence means three loads a day. A tablet so they can communicate. A family break where the accommodation actually works for your child’s needs.
These things cost money that most SEND families don’t have. But grants exist specifically for this. And the biggest one, Family Fund, awarded 89,493 grants in the last year alone.
Family Fund: the largest grant provider
Family Fund is the UK’s largest grant-giving charity for families raising disabled or seriously ill children aged 0-24. In 2024-25, it gave out over £36 million in grants, covering equipment, holidays, and household essentials. Understanding their eligibility criteria helps you work out whether your family qualifies.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) doesn’t automatically qualify you for a Family Fund grant, and that catches a lot of families out. Family Fund uses its own assessment model.
How Family Fund eligibility works
To qualify, your child must need high-level support in at least 3 of 7 defined areas. It’s about functional support needs, not diagnosis.
Your child needs high-level support in at least 3 of these 7. Plus, the household must be on a low income or receiving a qualifying benefit: Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, income-related ESA, income-based JSA, Income Support, or Pension Credit. If you’re not yet claiming, our guide to Universal Credit disabled child additions explains what you can get.
A child receiving DLA lowest rate care might not meet the 3-of-7 threshold. A child with no DLA but high support needs might qualify. Don’t assume either way. Apply based on your child’s actual support needs.
Not sure which of the 7 areas apply to your child? The assistant below can walk you through them.
What Family Fund covers
Grants are not cash. Family Fund purchases items directly or provides vouchers. Typical grants cover:
- Washing machines, tumble dryers, fridges, cookers
- Computers, tablets, and peripherals
- Sensory toys and equipment
- Specialist clothing and bedding
- Games consoles and leisure equipment
- Specialist bikes and trikes
- Family breaks (via Center Parcs, Butlin’s, Haven, and others)
- Days out and activity clubs
Grants are discretionary and vary. Family Fund does not publish fixed grant amounts; what you receive depends on the item, your family’s circumstances, and available funding. In England, you can reapply every 24 months for the main children’s grant (ages 0-17); the Your Opportunity grant for 18-24 year olds allows reapplication after 12 months (confirm the current window directly with Family Fund before applying, as eligibility rules can change).
How to apply
Five steps, from checking eligibility to using the grant once it lands.
- Check eligibilityVisit familyfund.org.uk or call 01904 550055 before starting.
- Apply onlineComplete the 3-part application at app.familyfund.org.uk. Part 3 must be finished within 28 days.
- Provide evidenceCurrent benefit award letter plus recent professional evidence of support needs (EHCP, therapist letter, doctor’s report).
- DecisionFamily Fund reviews the application and makes a decision.
- If approvedGrant information is sent. Item or voucher must be used within 6 months.
The entire process takes about 30 minutes if you’re organised, then Family Fund takes time to review. Getting advice on eligibility first saves effort.
Describe your child’s daily support needs in concrete terms. “My child requires physical assistance with washing, dressing, and toileting every morning and evening” is stronger than “My child has autism.” Link the requested item directly to the disability.
If refused, you can appeal in writing within 28 days. A second appeal is possible within 14 days of the first response. After two appeals, the decision is final.
Other grants worth knowing about
Family Fund isn’t the only option. Several other charities provide grants for disabled children:
Turn2us is particularly useful. Their online grant-finder searches multiple charities at once and matches your circumstances to available funding.
Newlife Foundation funds specialist equipment, including beds, wheelchairs and communication aids, when nothing else will cover it. Cerebra runs an Innovation Centre that designs custom-made equipment for children with brain conditions when nothing off-the-shelf fits. Family Action offers welfare grants up to £300 towards essential items. You can’t apply directly: a professional such as a social worker or health visitor refers you, and the programme pauses when funds run low (at the time of writing it’s closed to new applications until 1 August 2026). Sandcastle Trust supports families affected by rare genetic conditions with respite breaks, counselling and peer support.
If your child’s needs are centred on mobility or physical access, our Disabled Facilities Grant guide covers up to £30,000 in council funding for home adaptations, with no means test for under-18s.
VAT relief on disability equipment
This isn’t a grant, but it saves 20% on qualifying purchases. Under HMRC VAT Notice 701/7, disabled people can buy certain goods at 0% VAT rather than the standard 20%. You claim it through the supplier when you buy, usually by signing a short eligibility declaration, rather than by applying to HMRC.
Qualifying items include mobility aids (wheelchairs, manual and powered), lifting equipment (hoists), seating (riser-recliners with lifting function), building adaptations (ramps, wet rooms), and adapted motor vehicles. Items that don’t qualify include standard recliners without lift function, general-purpose furniture, kitchen appliances, bedroom conversions, and standard vehicles.
There’s no means test. No need for DLA, PIP, or any disability registration. You provide a written eligibility declaration to the supplier at the point of sale.
VAT relief applies at the point of sale, not as a refund afterwards. Tell the supplier before you pay. If they don’t know about it, point them to HMRC VAT Notice 701/7.
Getting help
Family Fund (01904 550055) can check your eligibility before you apply.
Turn2us has an online benefits calculator and grant-finder.
Contact (0808 808 3555) advises on grants, benefits, and financial support for families with disabled children.
Citizens Advice can help with benefit checks that may improve your eligibility for grants.
Don’t assume you won’t qualify
You might assume your child’s needs aren’t severe enough, or that you need DLA first. Neither is true. Family Fund uses its own model, and children who don’t receive DLA may still qualify. If you haven’t claimed DLA yet, our step-by-step DLA application guide walks you through it.
The worst that happens is a refusal, and even then, you can appeal. The best that happens is practical help your family genuinely needs.