The programme, launched a year ago, is set to continue for another two years. In the first year, more than 400 families have been helped, allowing those from disadvantaged backgrounds to safely transport their children's complex medical equipment and drive long distances to essential hospital appointments.
What does it offer?
The programme offers a car-leasing package to families with disabled or severely ill young children with mobility needs. The package covers the period between birth to the age of three, when the national Motability scheme kicks in.
The fund will cover the costs of the monthly rental instalments for the full duration of the lease.
What has it achieved?
Since its launch, more than 400 families with disabled or severely ill children have benefitted from a car-lease package. All the families who received support said that their vehicle helped them to better manage their child's care needs.
Some 95 per cent of families said they found it easier to take their children to hospital or GP appointments, and 78 per cent said they were able to spend more quality time together.
Who is eligible?
The programme is open to parents or carers on low incomes with a disabled or severely ill child under three years of age. Applicants will be subject to an income assessment but are likely to be eligible if they are entitled to benefits, such as universal credit. Applicants must also have a valid UK driver's licence, and there must not be anyone else in the household benefiting from the national Motability scheme.
Only one named driver under the age of 21 is permitted through the scheme, and drivers under the age of 25 can only drive cars with a lower insurance group and smaller engine size.
What disabilities are covered?
Parents or carers are eligible if their child's condition means they cannot travel without substantial equipment such as a mobility aid; cannot travel on public transport because it would compromise their immunity; experience high levels of pain or a physical condition that makes mobility difficult; have to attend a significant number of medical appointments at multiple treatment centres; or have an unstable condition that may require emergency inpatient treatment.
What is and isn't covered?
The fund will cover rental instalments for the full duration of the hire, car insurance, servicing, repairs and maintenance and breakdown cover.
The fund will not cover fuel costs, parking fines, zone or congestion charges, or costs incurred by returning the car in unsatisfactory condition or by violating the agreements set out in the Motability handbook.
How to apply?
Parents or carers can apply for the programme through the Family Fund's website.
Applicants should fill out the initial enquiry form, and eligible applicants will be contacted by a team member to complete the next stage of the application. Applicants will be subject to an income assessment and will be expected to provide a copy of their most recent benefit entitlement. Those who do not receive benefits can still apply, but extra information about their household income may be required.
Applicants will also be expected to provide information about their child's disability, but they do not need to have received a formal diagnosis.
What happens next?
After an application has been accepted in line with the fund's eligibility requirements, Motability Operations Limited will conduct a check to make sure they can meet the child's specific needs and check the driver's eligibility.
A car lease will then be provided by Motability Operations Limited, and applicants will sign a credit hire agreement – the cost of which is covered by the Family Fund.
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More from: www.familyfund.org.uk/grants/schemes/ffms/
Funding roundup
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Another £70m in Youth Investment Fund (YIF) grants have been announced. The grants, part of a total pot of £300m, will fund 44 youth projects and will increase the number of young people accessing them by more than 12,000. The YIF is funded by the government and delivered by Social Investment Business in partnership with Key Fund, National Youth Agency, and Resonance. In this latest round, capital grants range from £350,000 to £8m.
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Changing Young Lives, Young Bristol and Children North East are among around 100 organisations to receive a share of £20m from the National Citizen Service Trust to deliver activities for 16- to 17-year-olds across the country over the next two years. In addition, a number of other organisations, including Girlguiding, The Children's Society, Autismable, Dallaglio RugbyWorks and West Ham United Foundation will receive funding to work with young people in their local communities.
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Manchester-based Centrepoint has received a £250,000 donation from Cheadle-based lender Together for the charity's independent living programme, which provides affordable housing for young people. Together also donated £100,000 to charity Forever Manchester.
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Grants of up to £10,000 are available to charities supporting education and skills, rural or community development, heritage, arts or culture, and climate change or environment through the Benefact Group's Movement for Good Awards. Up to £1m is available through the awards. Up to 420 charities will be awarded £1,000 donations, while 40 good causes will be awarded £5,000 via special grants.
