Important information
We’ve improved the way we provide financial support to people living with and affected by MND, and our new Support Fund programme is now live. To help you understand what’s changed, we’ve created an FAQ document with an overview of the updates.
We have also created a flowchart to help you navigate the transition from Support Grants to Support Funds.
The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association is able to offer some financial support to help with:
- cost of living support to help with upcoming household bills and food shopping
- funding equipment, technology and services that people with MND have been assessed as needing
- funding to support the wellbeing of a person with MND and their family (non paid carers and children/young people living with someone with MND)
These are not in place of any statutory funding that should be available, however we can assist with obtaining statutory funding or funding from other charitable organisations.
Who can apply for Support Funds?
Applications to the Everyday Living and Technology and Innovation Support Fund must be completed and supported by a qualified Health and/or Social Care Professional. This is because the Health and/or Social Care Professional will have to assess the equipment, adaptation or technology as being appropriate for the person with MND.
The Wellbeing and Cost of Living Support Fund application forms can be applied for by the person living with MND, a family member, volunteer or health and social care professional.
What Support Funds are available?
You can view each of the Support Funds below. Each section confirms who is eligible for the fund and what the fund can provide, who can apply and a link to the application form.
We've also have a useful flyer to provide guidance on what funds are available and whether you can apply.
How do I apply?
Each of the funds below has a link to the application form. These are all in word format and can be saved and emailed to us, or printed and posted to us. Each form will explain what to do.
Cost of Living Support Fund
We offer a Cost of Living Support Fund up to the value of £500. This is to help people living with MND who may be struggling with upcoming household bills or food shopping costs and can be applied for at any time in the calendar year.
If you would like to apply, a simple form asks you to outline how additional costs have affected your income or finances. You can download the application form here:
Cost of Living Support Fund application form
Your application will then be considered. If you are awarded this fund, we will arrange for the payment to be made to you.
As the increased cost of living continues to impact all our lives and brings challenges, you may find our Cost of Living Hub helpful. You’ll find further information about support available to you and your family, including information on the Association’s Benefit’s Advice Service for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Everyday Living Support Fund
Our Everyday Living support fund is predominantly for equipment or adaptations requiring professional expert assessment
- Seating
- Contributions towards adaptations
- Wheelchair accessories eg risers, powerpacks, attendant controls
- Equipment rental – stairlifts, wheelchairs, seating, ramps
- Respite
- Physiotherapy
We offer this grant to anyone living with MND. It can be used only once an assessment has been made and all statutory funding options have been explored. When considering the grant application, please follow the steps below:
- Assessment is made by a qualified health or social care professional (HSCP).
- Statutory funding should be sought at this point (we can assist and offer advice).
- If funding is not available or is not timely, the HSCP should complete the Everyday Living application form and send it to support services.
- On receipt of the application we will review the request and the supporting evidence.
- A decision on the amount to be offered will be communicated to the applicant. Please note this is unlikely to be the full cost of a provision.
Who can apply? Only Health and Social Care professionals can apply for this grant.
HSCP’s can download the Everyday Living form below.
Technology and Innovation Support Fund
Our Technology and Innovation support fund is predominantly for technology requiring professional expert assessment.
- Banked voice downloads (including voice build and repair services)
- Text to speech communication aids and apps
- Contributions towards alternative wheelchair controls such as eyegaze driving
- Specialist assistive technology for the home
- Specialist software
We offer this fund to anyone living with MND . It can be used only once an assessment has been made and all statutory funding options have been explored. When considering the application, please follow the steps below:
- Assessment is made by a qualified health or social care professional (HSCP).
- Statutory funding should be sought at this point (we can assist and offer advice).
- If funding is not available or is not timely, the HSCP should complete the Technology and Innovation application form and send it to support services.
- On receipt of the application we will review the request and the supporting evidence.
- A decision on the amount to be offered will be communicated to the applicant. Please note this is unlikely to be the full cost of a provision.
Who can apply? Only Health and Social Care professionals can apply for this grant.
HSCP’s can download the Technology and Innovation form below.
Wellbeing Support Fund
Our Wellbeing support fund is for individuals, main unpaid carers, children and families. This application form replaces the separate Quality of Life, Carers and Children Young Persons application forms.
Examples of funding would be contributions towards:
- Equipment not requiring an assessment e.g., mobility scooters*, four wheeled walkers, lightweight wheelchairs
- Essential garden and home maintenance/improvements/furniture/white goods
- Keeping connected e.g., tablets for accessing social media, online banking and video calls
- Hobbies and interests
- Special transport including taxi’s
- Accessible/adapted holiday venues
- Complementary therapy
- Headset microphones for voicebanking
- Driving lessons
- Holidays/trips – transport and accommodation
- Counselling for adults
- Spa/pamper days
- School trips and other school/extra curricular activities
- Toys and games
Who can apply? Any family member, Association Visitor, Health & Social Care Professional or Area Support Coordinator.
You can approach your local branch or group to apply for this fund. You can find the one nearest to you by using our local support search.
If you cannot find your local branch or group, or if they have been unable to provide support you can apply to the support services team at national office by downloading the Wellbeing support fund form below.
View our Guidance document on our Support Funds.
Other funding available
You can find further information and guidance on other sources of funding that you may be eligible for from other organisations.
Our affiliate partner in Jersey has a limited bursary fund for holidays on the island. Details can be found on on their branch page.
Do you need further support?
If you have any questions in relation to our grants or need help applying, please contact our MND Connect team. Call us on 0808 802 6262 or email us.