This page provides more detailed information to help you check if you may be eligible for assistance from the Society and to help you understand the process and conditions.
Please note that all decisions to provide assistance are ultimately at the discretion of the Society’s Trustees.
What is a qualifying medical condition?
Qualifying Medical Condition means any medical condition which is permanent or likely to be permanent or potentially life-limiting and includes conditions such as cancer which may not necessarily be incurable and congenital disorders. This is subject to certain exclusions set out below.
What conditions are excluded?
Addiction to alcohol, nicotine or any other substance and other conditions set out in the Equality Act 2010 (Disability) Regulations 2010, Part 2, Regulations 3, 4 and 5. However, the Society may, in its absolute discretion, consider conditions or impairments which arise from any excluded conditions.
What does living at home mean?
This means living in your own home or with a spouse, partner or family member. You are not eligible if you are in a residential or other nursing or care home.
What are the financial conditions?
The Society prioritises applications where need is greatest and therefore considers the financial means of all applicants:
Income
The Society normally prioritises people who are solely reliant on state benefits such as employment and support allowance (ESA), adult disability payment (ADP) (formerly personal independence payment (PIP)) or any other similar benefits. It will also consider applications where you have other income which is less than £2000 per annum.
Capital and Savings
The Society does not accept applications from anybody who has more than £4000 of capital or savings. This includes bank accounts, ISAs, bonds, investments etc, but excludes the house that you live in (if you own it), the contents of your house, any vehicle that you use and the capital value in any occupational pension scheme.
Debt
The Society does not accept applications from anybody who is subject to any bankruptcy or voluntary arrangements or seeking to fund payment of debts.
Availability of other assistance
The Society expects you to have considered and taken reasonable steps to obtain any state or other benefits which may be available to you.
Spouse/partners/cohabitees
If you have a spouse, partner or other person(s) living with you then their income and/or capital is included in the financial assessment. State benefits (including child benefit) and income or capital below the limits specified above will be disregarded. The financial position of any children living with you will be disregarded.
When should applications be made?
You must have had paid employment in the past. The Society normally expects applications to be received when the applicant has recently ceased employment, usually within the previous 12 months, but may consider applications where a person has been out of work for longer, but this is at the discretion of the Trustees.
What can I receive a one off grant for?
One-off grants of up to £750 may be made, to assist people who fall within the core criteria of the Society, for specific needs for example:
- Equipment (where not provided by alternative spec from health/local authority, or the waiting list for assessment is too long. This could be almost anything – bathing or dressing equipment, book turner, neater eater, or more mainstream items such as one-cup hot water machine)
- Adaptations (as above)
- Seating (specialist support)
- White goods
- Beds/bedding
- Furniture
- Clothing/ footwear
- Travel costs
- Respite (care or break)
- Additional care
- New boiler/ heating system
- Mobility equipment (such as scooter)
This list is not exhaustive and other requests may be considered.
Only one grant application may be made in any 12-month period.
Partial funding can be considered e.g. a contribution where total cost is over £750 or other sources of funding are available.
How do I submit an application?
You should complete the on-line form for either an annuity or a one off grant. These are available by clicking here.
You can complete the form on line or download it and print for manual completion. It is important that you complete this as fully as possible.
The application can be completed online, or alternatively by email or post to the Society:
Azets
1st Floor, Quay 2
139 Fountainbridge
Edinburgh EH3 9QG
Telephone No: 0131 473 3500
Email: SM-Charity@azets.co.uk
You must also send in a letter of support with your application.
What is a letter of support?
It is a letter from somebody who knows you well but not a family member. Usually it is from a healthcare worker (such as a Doctor, Health Visitor or Nurse) or a Social Worker. It can also come from somebody who knows your circumstances and has been helping you, such as a charity or religious group.
How is my application reviewed?
Your application will be checked to make sure that all basic information is there and that you fulfil the main conditions. It will then be passed to our Welfare Officer and our Doctor for a detailed review.
The Welfare Officer will get in touch with you and arrange to come and see you at your home. This helps us to understand your circumstances more fully.
The Doctor will check the medical information and speak to your Doctor and/or arrange to meet you.
Who decides my application?
The Society’s Welfare Committee (comprising Trustees of the Society) will make the decision based on the information you have provided and reports from the Welfare Officer and Doctor.
Is there any appeal?
No. All awards are at the discretion of the Trustees whose decision is final. You may apply again after a gap of 12 months if there is a change in your health or circumstances.
How long does it take to make a decision?
Annuities are considered quarterly and accordingly it can take three to four months for a decision. There is an accelerated procedure for one-off grants which we aim to process and pay within one month of application.
Can I apply for a one-off grant as well as receiving an annuity?
Existing annuitants may apply for and be awarded one-off grants if the Committee considers special circumstances exist. If a one-off grant is made to an annuitant, the annuity will continue (subject to the usual review provisions) but no further one-off grant may be awarded for five years.
Recipients of one-off grants may apply for annuities.
How do I receive my annuity?
The annuity is £750 per year payable half in April and half in October directly into your bank account.
How long does the annuity last?
All annuities are for three years from date of award provided that you are still meeting the core conditions for eligibility.
After three years there is a review of your circumstances in accordance with the Society’s current policies. All reviews are at the discretion of the Society’s Trustees and subject to the Society’s policies including financial eligibility conditions.
Changes and updates
This information is up to date as at June 2024. The Trustees may amend this at any time.
More information and Contact
More detailed information and application forms are available here or from our Secretaries, Azets SM-Charity@azets.co.uk.