Disability Grants & Funding (UK) – Complete Guide to Financial Help, Grants, Equipment & Emergency Support

Many disabled people, people with long-term health 
conditions, neurodivergent people, carers, and families never apply for grants 
because they do not know they exist.

Unlike benefits, many grants do not need to be repaid and can help with:

• Household costs
• Utility bills
• Disability equipment
• Home adaptations
• Education and training
• Mobility needs
• Digital access
• Emergency situations
• Carer support
• Specialist items not funded elsewhere

This guide explains where to find help, who may qualify, and how to apply.

Start Here: Check Benefits First

Many grant providers expect applicants to check benefit entitlement before applying.

Useful tools:

• Benefits Calculator (GOV.UK)
• Universal Credit (GOV.UK)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (GOV.UK)
• Attendance Allowance (GOV.UK)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) (GOV.UK)

Many charitable grants use benefit entitlement as evidence of need.

Charitable Grants

Many charities provide financial assistance for disabled people and carers.

Funding may help with:

• Furniture
• White goods
• Beds
• Disability equipment
• Clothing
• Travel expenses
• Education
• Household emergencies
• Mobility needs

Turn2Us Grant Search

One of the largest UK grant databases.

Website:

• Turn2Us Grants Search

Can help identify:

• Disability-specific charities
• Occupational charities
• Local grants
• Emergency grants

Family Fund

Supports families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.

Can help with:

• Technology
• Household items
• Family breaks
• Clothing
• Educational resources

Website:

• Family Fund

Telephone:

• 01904 550055

Disability-Specific Charities

Some charities support specific conditions.

Examples include:

• Scope
• Mencap
• National Autistic Society
• MS Society
• Parkinson's UK

Many provide grants, hardship funding, or signposting.

Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund helps people struggling with essential living costs.

Funding is distributed through local councils.

Support may include:

• Food
• Energy costs
• Essential household items
• Emergency assistance

Official guidance:

• Household Support Fund (GOV.UK)

Find local support through your council:

• Find Your Local Council (GOV.UK)

Utility Assistance

Many energy suppliers operate hardship funds and support schemes.

British Gas Energy Trust

Available even if you are not a British Gas customer in some circumstances.

Can assist with:

• Energy debt
• Emergency support
• Financial hardship

Website:

• British Gas Energy Trust

Fuel Direct & Benefit Deductions

Help may be available through benefits if energy debt becomes difficult to manage.

Information:

• Fuel Direct (GOV.UK)

Warm Home Discount

Provides eligible households with support towards energy costs.

Official information:

• Warm Home Discount Scheme (GOV.UK)

Priority Services Register

Available through energy and utility providers.

Can offer:

• Accessible communications
• Priority support during outages
• Additional assistance for vulnerable customers

Information:

• Priority Services Register (Ofgem)

Disability Equipment Funding

Many people assume they must buy equipment themselves. In some cases funding or provision may be available.

Adult Social Care

A care needs assessment may identify equipment needs.

Examples:

• Grab rails
• Bath aids
• Hoists
• Adapted furniture
• Mobility aids

Official guidance:

• Needs Assessment (GOV.UK)

NHS Services

Some equipment may be provided following assessment.

Examples:

• Wheelchairs
• Mobility aids
• Communication aids
• Pressure care equipment

Information:

• NHS Wheelchair Services (NHS)

Access to Work

Can help disabled people in employment.

Support may include:

• Equipment
• Support workers
• Travel support
• Workplace adjustments

Official guidance:

• Access to Work (GOV.UK)

Telephone:

• 0800 121 7479

Textphone:

• 0800 121 7579

Educational Grants

Support may be available for:

• College
• University
• Training
• Specialist equipment
• Disability support

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

Can help fund:

• Specialist equipment
• Software
• Non-medical support
• Study assistance

Official guidance:

• Disabled Students' Allowance (GOV.UK)

Educational Trusts & Charities

Search available grants:

• Turn2Us Grants Finder

Some grants assist with:

• Books
• Equipment
• Course fees
• Travel costs

Emergency Funding

Emergency grants may be available when someone faces immediate hardship.

Examples include:

• No food
• Utility disconnection risk
• Essential appliance breakdown
• Emergency travel
• Crisis situations

Local Welfare Assistance

Availability varies by council.

May help with:

• Food
• Utilities
• Emergency household items

Find your council:

• Find Local Council (GOV.UK)

Citizens Advice

Can help identify emergency funding.

Website:

• Citizens Advice

Mobility & Vehicle Funding

Motability Scheme

Eligible people receiving certain disability benefits may lease:

• Cars
• Powered wheelchairs
• Scooters

Official website:

• Motability Scheme

Telephone:

• 0300 456 4566

Technology & Digital Inclusion Grants

Some charities and local schemes assist with:

• Computers
• Tablets
• Internet access
• Assistive technology
• Communication devices

Check:

• Turn2Us
• Local councils
• Disability charities
• Educational institutions

How to Apply for Grants

Most organisations will ask for:

Personal Details

• Name
• Address
• Contact information

Financial Information

• Income
• Benefits
• Savings
• Household circumstances

Evidence

• Medical letters
• Benefit awards
• Assessment reports
• Supporting statements

Disabled Facilities Grant (For Home Adaptations)

If you are looking to make physical changes to your home (such as stairlifts, widening doors, or a walk-in shower), you may need the Disabled Facilities Grant

https://www.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants

Example Grant Application Wording

Due to my disability/health condition, I face additional costs that significantly affect my finances.

I am applying for assistance with [item/service].

This support would improve my independence, safety and wellbeing.

Supporting evidence is attached.

If Your Grant Application Is Refused

Ask:

Can you explain why the application was unsuccessful?

Is there a review process?

Are there alternative funding schemes available?

Can you signpost me to another organisation?

Advocacy & Application Support

If forms feel overwhelming, support may be available.

Citizens Advice

• Citizens Advice

Disability Rights UK

Advice on:

• Benefits
• Independent living
• Disability rights
• Funding options

Scope

Disability advice and support.

Helpline:

• 0808 800 3333

Accessible Support

You can request:

• Easy Read information
• Large print
• Braille
• Audio formats
• British Sign Language support
• Text Relay services
• Communication support
• Alternative formats

Useful information:

• Accessible Information Standard (NHS England)

Quick Checklist

Before applying for any grant:

✓ Check benefit entitlement

✓ Gather medical evidence

✓ Obtain copies of award letters

✓ Search Turn2Us grants

✓ Contact disability charities

✓ Check local council schemes

✓ Ask about hardship funds

✓ Keep copies of all applications

✓ Request accessible formats if needed

✓ Ask for advocacy support if completing forms is difficult

Key Contacts

Citizens Advice

• Website: Citizens Advice

Scope

• Helpline: 0808 800 3333
• Website: Scope

Turn2Us

• Website: Turn2Us

Family Fund

• Telephone: 01904 550055
• Website: Family Fund

Access to Work

• Telephone: 0800 121 7479
• Website: Access to Work (GOV.UK)

Motability

• Telephone: 0300 456 4566
• Website: Motability Scheme

Many grants go unclaimed every year. Even if you have been refused funding before, it is often worth checking again because eligibility rules, local schemes, and charitable funds can change over time.