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Grants

MSB GRANTS TO BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED PEOPLE GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS AND OFFICIALS

General Principles
1. The MSB aims to encourage, support and help blind and partially sighted people to live full and independent lives.

2. Charity law states that statutory provision should never be subsidised by charitable funds.

3. Maximum grant size varies depending on the purpose of the grant but will not normally exceed £500

4. Applicants must be permanently resident in one of the 12 inner London boroughs or in the City of London.

5. All requests must be made on our Application for a Grant form. The form must be completed and submitted by a responsible official of either Local Government, an appropriate local voluntary organisation or any other responsible body (please contact us first if there are any concerns about eligibility).

Operational Guidelines
1. Application should first have been made to the Social Fund for a Community Care Grant, whenever eligibility exists.

2. A check should be made to ensure, as far as possible, that the applicant is receiving all the statutory benefits to which he/she is entitled.

3. All parts of the application form must be completed. A full supporting letter, which explains the background to the request and how the applicant will benefit from the goods or services requested, will assist us in making a decision.

4. When MSB is one of a number of organisations being applied to, we may pledge our contribution (rather than make an immediate award) until the remainder of the sum needed has been raised.

5. Grants for holidays are usually made conditional upon the applicant arranging holiday cancellation insurance prior to travel (and we may ask to be provided with a copy of the certificate of insurance).

6. When awarding grants towards the cost of furniture, white goods and/or other household items, MSB will, where practicable, encourage the applicant to make purchases at reputable recycling centres (to make best possible use of available funds).

7.The MSB does not award for the following purposes, except in exceptional circumstances:-
Payment of outstanding debts.

• Holidays outside the U.K, although help with associated costs could be considered.
• Payment of council tax/rent arrears - this is the responsibility of the local authority to resolve.
• Educational grants - these are the responsibility of others although help with associated costs could be considered.

8. Payment arrangements: Wherever possible, the MSB will issue a cheque payable to the supplier of the goods or services being provided, rather than issue it payable to the grant recipient.

To obtain a grant application form contact the MSB Administrator