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.
When should an application form be submitted?
Applications should be submitted at the first opportunity and a Registration Grant will then be awarded for each eligible child.
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. An Application Form will need to be submitted showing details of all children and household income. If the children are under 19 and in education a weekly allowance may be made. For any children over 19 a higher education grant may be payable if they are continuing their studies in further or higher education.
Weekly 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.
Do you need to know if the personal circumstances of the family have changed? (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 allowance will be reassessed and adjusted accordingly from the next quarter.
Are grants only available to the children of officers who have died, or been incapacitated, whilst on duty?
No, 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.
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, who donated to the Trust whilst serving. In exceptional cases e.g. the murder 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 a family’s eligibility.
What value of grant can families expect to receive?
The value of a grant is dependant on the family household income. If eligible, a registration 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.
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. funding the purchase of a musical instrument to facilitate a musical activity/course.
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 Secretary.
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.
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.
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.
Does the Trust provide financial support for studies such as a Masters Degree?
No, the Trust only supports the attainment of a first degree and therefore does not support post graduate studies of any description.
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.
Does the Trust provide any financial support for ‘gap year’ activities?
No. Grants will not be provided for a ‘gap year’ period or activities.
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.