31st May 2013

• Sheffield City Council have just re-launched their popular short breaks grants scheme. Parents of disabled children and young people (aged 0-19) can now apply for a one-off payment of up to £400 per family.

  The money can be used for anything that gives parents a break from their caring responsibilities. For example, you could use it for a family holiday, for a carer to support your child to access an activity, or for your child to attend a holiday/weekend playscheme. The deadline for applications is 31 December 2013, and the money must be spent by 31 March 2014.

  Families are eligible for a grant if:
  * The parent/carer is a Sheffield resident and Sheffield City Council has a responsibility for the disabled child/young person (e.g. education) AND
  * The disabled child/young person receives the high rate care or high rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) OR
  * The family received a short break grant last year following the submission of additional information (IF approval was given less than 12 months from the submission date of this year’s application, and the additional information is less than 12 months old) OR
  * The family already receives another form of assessed short break, e.g. residential provision, direct payments, SNIPS

  If none of these conditions applies you may still be eligible, but will need to ask a professional who knows your family to provide additional information.

  Click here to download an application form.
  Click here for more information (Council website).

  If you would like to speak to someone about the grant scheme, please contact the SIGN Information Service on 0114 2669476 or email sign@sheffinfolink.org.uk.

  Sheffield City Council have asked us to publish the following statement:
  “Following the launch of the Short Breaks Grant Scheme 2013, the response to date has been overwhelming. Application forms are being processed in order of date of receipt. On submitting an application, it would be greatly appreciated and assist immensely if you could allow four weeks to receive a response; if after this time you have received no correspondence, then please contact 0114 273 6390. Whilst we are more than happy to respond to any telephone queries, please be aware that we are currently experiencing a high volume of calls in relation to submitted application forms and this will slow down the speed at which we can process and respond to applications. Many thanks for your assistance and understanding.”