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  1. FAQs

Help FAQs

Here are some answers to questions you may have about our grants and application process

Making an Enquiry

Got a question about making an enquiry? Check here for answers to frequently asked questions.

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What is a grant?

A grant is a financial donation which doesn't have to be repaid. It must be used to buy essential items which impact your child's health and well being.  

I have worked for more than one year, but at different companies. Can I still apply?

Yes, but you will need to supply evidence of each employment in the form of payslips and any documents which show the length of your employment e.g. P60/P45 for each fashion and textile company.

I don't work in the industry anymore, can I still apply?

If your employment in fashion and textiles was for 1+ years within the last 9 years you can still apply for a grant. This means, the start of your employment must have been within the 9 year period and the following 1+ years thereafter. 

You will need to provide supporting documents during the application process to evidence this employment, in the form of payslips and P60's. Other supporting documents may be required, subject to the grant request.

I am self employed,can I apply?

If you are self-employed or run your own fashion and textile business you can still apply.

We advise any self-employed parents to contact our grants team before filling in an online enquiry form. We may require further information from you to confirm your self-employment status.

I don't work in fashion or textile, what next?

If you have never worked in UK fashion and textiles, unfortunately we won't be the right charity for your family. But there are other charities who might be able to help. 

If you're not sure your job qualifies as fashion and textiles please contact our grants team  on 0300 123 9002 for further advice.

I am on maternity leave, can I still apply?

As long as you have been employed in the UK fashion or textile industry for at least one year within the last nine years, you can still apply.

PLEASE NOTE: you cannot apply for a grant until your child has been born. This is because you will need to include their name, date of birth and child benefit proof with your application.

You can apply for an older sibling, while still pregnant, as long as you meet our other criteria. Find out more about when we help.

I am expecting a child, can I apply before they are born?

No, you will have to wait until your child is born so that you can provide their name, date of birth and child benefit proof with your application.

Is there an age restriction for the child I am applying for? 

We support children aged 0-18 years. If your child is 18, you can still apply, as long as they are still 18 on the date we receive your application. 

What benefits do I need to receive?

The only mandatory benefit we ask for is child benefit. However, we do ask for other income and expenditure details on our application form. 

The child's father works in the industry but the mother claims child benefit, can we still apply?

If the father and mother live together and can provide us with a child benefit letter with the same address, yes the father can still apply.

If you are separated from your partner, both parents would need to consent and contribute towards the application.

The employee/ex-employee should email proof of employment P60/P45, etc. to the mother/CB claimant.

The mother/CB claimant should then complete the application form and provide all supporting evidence PLUS a covering email/letter clarifying her consent as the parent of the child

This letter should include the child's name and date of birth.

Can carers and grandparents apply?

The person working in fashion and textiles must also be the primary carer for the child who needs a grant.  

Example: a grandparent or family member can apply if they have parental responsibility for the child. This could be due to parental absence, ill-health or another reason.

You must be able to prove your status as registered carer for the child with supporting evidence. This could be a supporting letter from a professional working with the family, e.g. social worker or doctor.  

This does not apply for babysitters or family who provide general childcare. 

Can I apply for a laptop for my child?

We can fund laptops for children aged between 14-18 years, if there is no laptop or computer at home and your child is having to stay behind at school to complete their studies. 

If your child is under the age of 14 years and needs a laptop to support additional learning needs, we require a supporting letter from a professional working with your child, e.g. support worker, special educational support to explain why a laptop is necessary for them.  

There is a capped amount of £300 for laptop grants.

Can I apply for a grant towards childcare costs?

No, regrettably we cannot fund childcare costs. This includes after school clubs and holiday clubs. Please also check the list of items we can't fund. 

My child is completing a paid apprenticeship so I don't receive child benefit, can i still apply?


Got more questions?

If you have any more questions, please check our FAQ section, to see if you can find your answer there. 

If you're still unsure, please contact our grants team on 0300 123 9002*

*Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than your standard call rate and should be included in free minute packages from mobiles. 

Published: 24th July, 2019

Updated: 29th April, 2022

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Application Process

Made an enquiry and want to know what happens next? Find answers to frequently asked questions.

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Completed your enquiry form? What next?

Once you have submitted your online enquiry form, our grants team will review the information you have provided and assess if we think we are the right charity for your family.

If we think we can help your family, we will send you an application form (usually within 14 days of receiving your enquiry).

We may have some further questions about your enquiry form, so please keep an eye on your email (including your junk box). We will always reply to you, even if we don't think we are the right charity for your family. 

Haven't received an application form? What next?

Even if we don't think we are the right charity for your family, we will always try and signpost to others who might be able to help. A great place to start is our useful links page, which has a lists of other great UK charity's we typically refer families to. 

Received an application form? What next?

Once we have sent you an application form, by email and post, you will need to set aside some time to complete it.

You will need to provide some of the same information as you did in the enquiry form (just so we can check we have it noted correctly) plus additional information, such as details of income and expenditure. 

Please note: the more information you can provide us about your financial situation, the easier it will be for our grants team to assess your application. The more information you can give, the better it will be for your application request. 

You will also need to provide some supporting documents, these are detailed on the application form, but it's good for you to start gathering these as soon as you can.  

Can I send my application form without the supporting documents?

We ask for ALL supporting documents to be returned with your application form. Failure to do so might delay or cancel your application. 

Returned you application form? What next?

Once you have returned all your application documents, we will confirm whether we have everything we need and our grants team will review your request.

Again, please keep an eye on your email at this time, because the grants team will email any questions hey might have. 

Our grants team will then get in touch as soon as we have reached a decision about your grant request.


Got more questions?

If you have any more questions, please check our FAQ section, to see if you can find your answer there. 

If you're still unsure, please contact our grants team on 0300 123 9002*

*Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than your standard call rate and should be included in free minute packages from mobiles. 

Published: 25th July, 2019

Updated: 29th April, 2022

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Grant awarded, what now?

Got your grant and want to know what to do next? Find answers here to frequently asked questions.

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For most queries related to your grant, you should refer to your grant award letter and the receipts terms and conditions, which you will have received with your cheque. 

I have got my grant, what do I do now?

  • The grant money can only be used for THE AGREED ITEMS for your children, as set out in our award letter. Any changes need to be approved by the FTCT Grants Team in advance of purchase.

  • All purchased items should be brand new and purchased from a reputable company. None of the items should be second-hand.

  • All items should be purchased outright with the grant awarded. This means you should not create any debt for your family by taking out a credit repayment plan.

  • All electrical goods and beds must have at least a one year manufacturer’s guarantee.

  • The award can be used towards the delivery, installation and recycling of white goods where required.

What do I need to do with my receipts?

When spending your grant, you will need to keep ALL ORIGINAL RECEIPTS and return them to us following the below terms and conditions:

  • We will only accept ORIGINAL RECEIPTS returned by post using the Grant Receipts Return Form for all of the agreed items.  Please do not send scanned receipts by email. If the item has a warranty, you may wish to take photocopies for your own records.

  • We would strongly recommend that you send the receipts as ‘signed for’ post, via your Post Office.  It does not need to be ‘special delivery guaranteed’ – which is more expensive.

  • Receipts should be in good order and returned in the pink envelope provided using the Grant Receipts Return Form - instructions on how to do this are given overleaf. You can use a larger envelope if required with the correct postage.

  • Your original receipts must be SUBMITTED WITHIN 30 DAYS of receiving the award. Receipts should show items having been purchased in full.

  • If you need more time to purchase the item, please contact the FTCT Grants Team in advance of the closing date, so that we can look at the possibility of extending the receipts return date.

  • If you return a receipt for an item that has not been agreed, we may ask for this to be reimbursed to the full value of the item.

Can I use my grant to buy something else?

The grant money can only be used for THE AGREED ITEMS for your children, as set out in our award letter. Any changes need to be approved by the FTCT Grants Team in advance of purchase.

You can email your request to [email protected] 

What happens if I don't spend all the grant money?

If you have purchased all of the items that the funding was awarded for and there is a small amount remaining (10% or less of the total grant), we would prefer that this be spent on essential clothing, uniform or footwear for the children rather than returning this amount to us.

However, we would expect to see original receipts showing the full value of the grant has been spent.

If you have any other questions about your grant award, receipts or grant items, please email [email protected]


Got more questions?

If you have any more questions, please check our FAQ section, to see if you can find your answer there. 

If you're still unsure, please contact our grants team on 0300 123 9002*

*Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than your standard call rate and should be included in free minute packages from mobiles. 

Published: 26th July, 2019

Updated: 29th April, 2022

Author:

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Fashion & Textile Children's Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (257136)

Registered office: The Space UK, 235 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7LE