Please find below answers to frequently asked questions about Police Children’s Fund. If you have a question and don’t find the answer here, please take a look around our website for further information or contact the office on tel. no. 01903 237256 / email info@policechildrensfund.org.
Police Officers/Donors
Q. I am a serving officer and my partner, who was not employed in a police capacity, has recently died. Are my children eligible for the Fund?
A. You can apply as your children are eligible for assistance subject to need being established.
Q. I am a recently medically retired officer with two children, one of whom is a university student. Can I make an application for both children?
A. Yes, both children are eligible for assistance subject to need being established. We provide a range of grants to support education and wellbeing throughout a child/young person’s education including university.
Q. I am an officer who has been medically retired from the Met. I previously served with a contributing force. Are my children eligible for the Fund?
A. No. An officer needs to have been serving with one of our 22 contributing forces at the time of medical retirement for the children to be eligible. The Met or any other force will offer similar assistance in these circumstances.
Q. I have recently been medically retired from a contributing force but I am divorced from my partner with whom my children live. If need is established, who would receive the grants?
A. If need is established and you can provide receipts for the educational costs you have covered then the grants will be paid to you.
Q. I am a serving officer, how do I donate/fundraise?
A. As a serving officer you can set up a regular donation through your payroll. Alternatively, you can visit our JustGiving page to either set up a one off donation or a regular donation. Anyone can fundraise for us by becoming involved in community events, arranging their own event or participation in challenge events.
Q. I am a serving officer, can I increase my monthly donation via payroll?
A. The payroll administration processes will not allow for different donations from individual officers so if you wanted to increase your monthly donation, the best way is to visit our JustGiving page to set up a regular donation.
Q. I am a recently medically retired officer from a contributing force, how do I go about applying to Police Children’s Fund for my children?
A. You can apply directly by contacting us via email or calling the office, however, our preference is to receive an official referral from a force representative such as a Line Manager, Federation Rep or Welfare Officer who can confirm the details of your service. Please see our Apply page for more information.
Families
Q. My partner was a serving officer with a contributing force but resigned to start a new career and has recently died. Are my children eligible for the Fund?
A. No. The officer needs to have been actively serving with a contributing force at the time of death.
Q. My partner was a special constable with a contributing force and has recently died. Are my children eligible for the Fund?
A. If the cause of death was on-duty then the children are eligible for the Fund subject to need being established.
Q. I am not a police officer but my partner who was a serving officer has recently died. Are my children eligible for the Fund?
A. Yes – if your children are in education they will be automatically registered to receive celebratory gift payments and they will be eligible to apply for a range of grants subject to need being established.
Q. Is there a cut off point where a potential beneficiary can no longer apply?
A. No – If the deceased or medically retired officer served within one of our 22 contributing forces there is no cut-off point for applying.
Q. How are grant applications assessed?
A. When applying for a specific grant, applicants are required to complete a financial form detailing income, expenditure and level of savings. This is then considered by the trustees at their meeting. The form remains valid for 12 months from the date of submission and is used to support all grant applications within that 12 month period.
Q. What age children are eligible to apply to the Fund?
A. The eligible children can be aged from birth up to 18 years. Students who go on to university are eligible to apply for higher education assistance for the duration of one degree, including a masters up to the age of 25.
Q. I am a medically retired officer and married with a step-child who lives with us full-time and who is wholly supported by us financially. Is my step-child eligible to apply to the Fund?
A. Yes. Upon receipt of evidence that you are financially supporting your step-child, they are eligible along with any other children in the family.
Grants
Q. Do you provide grants for university accommodation?
A. No, we do not provide a specific grant for accommodation but students registered with the Fund are eligible to apply for the Higher Education Starter Grant which can be used where it is needed. We also provide a University Resources Grant for any course related equipment, books etc.
Q. Is there a limit to the number of grants for which I can apply?
A. No. All beneficiaries registered with Police Children’s Fund are eligible to apply for all relevant grants, however, all grants are awarded subject to need being established and at the discretion of the trustees. Some of our grants are available only once to a beneficiary for the duration of their registration with the Fund and some can be applied for more than once.
Q. What is the Mental Health Support Grant?
A. All beneficiaries are eligible to apply for a grant towards the costs of private counselling, play therapy and other therapies, allowing speedier access to vital services at the time they are needed. Beneficiaries can also apply for an additional grant towards the costs of neurodevelopmental diagnostic assessments such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia etc.
Q. When will my child receive their birthday gift payment?
A. To keep administrative costs down, our birthday gift payments are issued once a month. Your child will usually receive their gift in the middle of the month in which their birthday falls and we will always let you know when the payment is due to be made.
Q. Are the grants means tested?
A. All grants are awarded subject to financial need being established. A financial form detailing the household income and expenditure must be completed and this form remains valid for 12 months.
Q. I am the parent of a registered beneficiary, how do I apply for a specific grant?
A. You will need to submit documentary evidence (receipts etc) and supporting information by email detailing the specific request. We will then let you know if a financial form needs to be completed. When all required information has been received we will advise you of the date of the meeting at which your grant application will be considered. Please see our Apply page for more information.