What is a grant? Expand A grant is a financial donation which doesn't have to be repaid. It must be used to buy essential items for your children such as school uniform or clothing. Read this list of what we fund and what we can't fund. Grants typically start at around £250 per child and can provide practical help during a tough financial spot. From buying school uniform, bedding or shoes, to specialist mobility equipment, FTCT grants help hundreds of families working in the UK fashion and textile industry, every year. Read some of their real-life stories. If you are interested in applying for a grant for your child, there is some important information you need to know: Grants are only available for children whose parent or full-time carer works in the UK fashion and textile industry. You must have worked in the industry for a minimum of 1 year, within the last nine years. Children must be aged between 0-18 years. You must show proof you are receiving child benefit for the child who needs a grant. Grants can be one off payments or ongoing depending on a child’s need. Before applying please understand what we fund and what we don’t fund Successful grants are issued by cheque. Applicants must return original item receipts within one month, to prove the grant has been spend as agreed. Apply Now
Is there an age restriction for the child I am applying for? Expand 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.
I am expecting a child, can I apply before they are born? Expand 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.
Can carers and grandparents apply? What is the criteria? Do I need to have parental responsibility? Does the child have to live with me? Expand 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.
I don’t work in the industry anymore, can I still apply? Example: I had to give up work to care for my child full-time, can I still apply? Expand 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 show you meet our criteria. These include your most recent P60 or P45 and a payslip from your fashion and textile employer. Plus proof you receive child benefit for the child who needs a grant. Other supporting documents may be required, subject to the grant request. Unfortunately without this information, we are unable to consider an application. Apply now
I have a new job now, can I still apply for a grant? Example: I was made redundant earlier this year, but have a new job now. Expand Yes, we understand that being made redundant can have a knock on effect for your finances. As long as your employment in fashion and textiles was for at least one year within the last nine years, you can still apply. This means, the start of your employment must have been within the 9 year period and the following 1+ years thereafter.
The child’s father works in the industry but the mother claims child benefit, can he still apply? Expand 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. Still have questions? Please contact our grants team on 0300 123 9002 *Our office is open 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
I am on maternity leave, can I still apply? Expand As long as you were 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.
I have worked in the industry for one year, but not at the same company, can I still apply? Expand Yes, but you will need to supply evidence of each employment (payslips) and the length of your employment (P60/P45) for each fashion and textile company. Please gather ALL of this information before you send in your application form.
My child is completing a paid apprenticeship so I don’t receive child benefit. Can I still apply? Expand If your child is completing a paid apprenticeship please contact our grants team on 0300 123 9002 to discuss.
I don’t have access to the internet, how do I apply? Expand All initial enquiries must be submitted online. If you don't have home internet access, perhaps you could go down to your local library and use the internet there. Alternarively, you could ask your manager if it is ok to use a work computer to complete your enquiry. If none of these options are available please call the grant team for advice on 0300 123 9002
I don’t have access to a scanner, how should I send you my documents? Expand We can accept CLEAR photographs of your application documents, you could use your phone or a digital camera to take them. You could also ask your manager if it is possible to use the work scanner to send these documents. You can of course send us your application by post. Just make sure you send us copies and keep the original documents for yourself, in case of any problems.
Can I send my application in without supporting evidence? Expand We HIGHLY recommend you send in all evidence and application forms at the same time. All post and emails are dealt with in date order and any documents submitted separately will delay the application process or may result in a rejected application.
I need help with childcare costs, can a grant help me? Expand No, regrettably we cannot fund childcare costs. This includes after school clubs and holiday clubs.
Can I apply for a laptop for my child? Expand We can fund laptops for children aged between 14-18 years. This is because we consider laptops as an essential study tool for children between these ages. If your child is under the age of 14 years we require a supporting letter from your child’s main education provider, e.g. headteacher, stating why it is essential your child has a laptop to support their studies. Please note: even with a supporting letter it is still not guaranteed we would be able to fund a laptop for your child. Find out more about the items we fund.
I have lost the receipts for my grant item, what do I do? Expand Ideally you should try and get copy receipts from the original retailer. If this is not possible, please try and show purchase evidence through a recent bank statement. Unfortunately, if you cannot show copies of your receipts we may have to ask for grant money to be repaid. It is also not possible for us to accept applications until all previous grant receipts have been received. If you are struggling to find your grant receipts please contact our grants team on 0300 123 9002
What happens if I don’t spend all the grant money? Expand We ask that you spend any remaining money on essential items for your child (clothing, bedding, shoes, etc) if this is not possible, we may ask for any remaining money to be repaid to the charity. If you haven't spent all your grant money, please call the grant team for further advice on 0300 123 9002
Can I use my grant to buy something else? Expand You will need to email us to get written permission to use the grant for another item. Without our express permission in writing to use the grant for another item, we may the money to be repaid to us. You can email your request to [email protected].
I don't work in fashion and textiles, what next? Expand 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 self employed, can I apply? Expand 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. Please call the grants team on 0300 123 9002 *Our office is open 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
Why do you need to see child benefit proof? Expand We ask for child benefit proof as a simple way to verify the parent or carer applying has parental responsibility for the child who needs a grant. This is because sadly we can only accept applications from the primary caregiver for the child who needs a grant. This is usually the parent, but can also include grandparents and other family members or carers who have evidenced parental responsibility for the child. The parent or carer applying must also be the person with current or recent employment in the UK fashion and textile industry.
What benefits do I need to receive? Expand The only mandatory benefit we ask for is child benefit. This is because it is an easy way to verify the person applying has official parental responsibility for the child who needs a grant. We do ask if you are receiving other benefits. This is because we need additional household financial information for grants above £750. Asking for proof of means tested benefits is an easy way for us to understand your financial situation without asking you to fill in lots of financial details.