Holiday grants and practical support

Step by step

1. Keep holiday funding separate from short-break support

   A holiday grant may help a family travel or spend time together. A short-break assessment looks at care and support outcomes for the disabled person and unpaid carers. One application does not replace the other, although a family may be eligible for both for different reasons.

2. List the full cost before applying

   Include accommodation, travel, food, insurance, deposits, accessible taxis, equipment hire, extra baggage, companion costs and activities. Record the access features that are essential, because the cheapest offer may not be usable.

3. Check Family Fund's current family-break route

   Family Fund works with travel partners on family-break grants. Check the current programme, who can apply and what can be funded before booking. Its published page says grants cannot pay for a break already booked, so apply first and wait for the decision.

4. Ask a professional about Family Holiday Charity

   Family Holiday Charity currently requires a referral from an eligible professional who supports the family, such as a social worker, family support worker, health professional or education professional. Funding is limited and an application does not guarantee an offer. Check its live criteria rather than relying on an old income figure or waiting-time claim.

5. Search for other charitable help

   Use Turn2us and the verified grant and charity records in Access Compass to look for support that matches age, disability, location and purpose. Do not pay an application fee or send sensitive documents to a copied or unfamiliar domain; follow the charity's current official website.

6. Match any offer to the access plan

   Before accepting or booking, confirm the exact accommodation or trip can meet the essential requirements in the accessible-travel guide. Ask what is included, any deadline, the family's contribution, cancellation terms and whether the provider can offer a suitable alternative.