Support our

DONOR RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN
Providing a helping hand if the unimaginable happens

Frequently Asked Questions

While it is difficult to consider every potential question that may be raised we have covered most of the areas of information we are frequently asked about.  If you can't find the answer to your query, please contact us.

1. When should an Application Form be submitted?

Applications should be submitted at the first opportunity and a New Beneficiary Grant will then be awarded for each eligible child. 

2. The family did not submit an application to the Trust at the time of death/incapacity of the officer but need help now. Are they eligible?

If the officer contributed to the Trust whilst serving, the family may be eligible for an allowance or grant. An application form will need to be submitted showing details of all children and household income. If the children are under statutory school leaving age; or if over that age and undertaking higher education; a Weekly Support Allowance may be made. For any children over 19 years of age a higher education grant may be payable if they are continuing their studies in further education.

Weekly Support Allowances and grants approved by the Trustees will be back dated to the date of the event giving rise to the application, or where the date of the event giving rise to the application is more than twelve months previously, to a maximum of twelve months preceding the date of the application.


 

3. Change in personal circumstances e.g. marriage/new job/loss of job etc.)

If a family’s circumstances change it may affect the income of the household. A new financial circumstances form should be completed and returned to the Trust without undue delay. The Weekly Support Allowance will be reassessed and adjusted accordingly with effect from the next quarter.

4. Are grants only available to the children of officers who have died, or been incapacitated, whilst on duty?

No, allowances and grants are available to the dependent children of Police Officers, and Retired Police Officers, who lose their lives or suffer significant incapacity whilst on or off duty. From 2018 allowances and grants are available to children of Police Officers whose partner has died.

5. The officer doesn’t (or didn't) donate to the Trust but their dependent children now need support. Can the Trust help?

The Trust's benefits are normally only provided to those officers who donated to the Trust, or if now deceased, did donate to the Trust whilst serving. In exceptional cases e.g. the homicide of an officer on duty, the Trustees may exercise discretion in applying benefits if the deceased officer did not donate to the Trust. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are in doubt about eligibility matters. 
 

6. What value of allowance or grant can beneficiaries expect to receive?

The value of an allowance or grant is dependent on the family household income. If eligible a New Beneficiary Grant will initially be paid to each child and once the application form has been completed and returned to us the value of grant will be determined and payment arrangements made.

7. Are there circumstances under which families can seek extra support in the form of a one-off grant?

There have been circumstances in which the Board of Trustees has agreed to make such an ex-gratia payment e.g. purchase of trade tools or occupational clothing when leaving school and starting work; purchase of a musical instrument to facilitate a musical activity/course; necessary text books.  

Each application for an ex-gratia grant will be assessed on its own merits and applications should be made in writing to the Trust’s Chief Executive.
 

8. Does the Trust support children of an incapacitated officer who may be born after the original application?

Yes. Details of the child should be forwarded to the Trust as soon as possible, or included on the annual financial circumstances assessment along with a copy of their birth certificate.

9. A divorced and re-married deceased officer has children from the two marriages. Are all the children eligible?

Yes. A common sense view of parenthood will be adopted when considering the eligibility of applicants.

If the officer contributed to the Trust whilst serving, the families may be eligible for an allowance. A separate application form will need to be submitted for both families showing details of all children and their respective household income.

Please see the definition of parenthood and partner in the user guide.


 

10. A deceased officer was not married to the mother of the children in the family unit, nor was he the biological father of her children. Are the children eligible for an allowance?

It depends on the composition of the family unit, particularly taking into account how long the relationship existed. A common sense view of parenthood will be adopted when considering the eligibility of applicants. 

11. Does the Trust provide financial support for studies such as a Master’s Degree or other post-graduate studies? 

No, the Trust only supports the attainment of a first level degree and therefore does not support post-graduate studies of any description.

(Note: ‘First level degree’ does not refer to the classification of a degree e.g. First; 2.1; 2.2; etc. but to the fact that it is the first degree undertaken)
 

12. Does the Trust accept applications for Higher Education Grant following a ‘gap year’?

Application for a Higher Education Grant will only be considered after a single ‘gap period’ from education of not more than one year.

Only a single ’gap’ period from education of not exceeding 12 months will be considered in an application for a Higher Education Grant.
 

 

13. Does the Trust provide any financial support for ‘gap year’ activities?

No. Grants will not be provided for a ‘gap year’ period or activities.

14. A beneficiary has turned 16 and left school to start an apprenticeship as a plumber. He will be attending college one day a week throughout the three year apprenticeship term. What sort of allowance can he expect to receive?

The Trust does not pay allowances or grants where the beneficiary is in work and earning money. Release from work to attend college as part of an apprenticeship is usually taken into consideration by the employer within paid employment. 

However, the Trust may make an ex-gratia grant to help an individual with the cost of beginning their working life e.g. tools, materials or uniform.
Apply for a Grant

Visit our holiday home in Harrogate; escape the pressures at home and enjoy some quality family time.

Our Holiday Home
Donate Now