Chris Cinclair Benevolent Fund

Background

Chris Cinclair was a founder member of the organisation.  The benevolent fund was set up in his memory to support HIV positive people experiencing extreme financial hardship.

The trustees of Positive Health (Lincolnshire) administer the fund and are committed to safeguarding its future by regularly reviewing the criteria.

The current eligibility criteria was revised in September 2004, when it was of paramount importance for the Trustees to make significant changes to the structure of the fund to ensure its future sustainability.  The criteria is reviewed annually and the Trustees welcome feedback including any suggestions regarding the operating rules of the fund.

The fund is aimed at contributing towards the cost of essential items or basic needs that will enhance a person’s quality of life.

Who Can Apply

People living with HIV/AIDS and their carers, who are registered (or have an application pending) members of Positive Health (Lincolnshire) and whose main residence is within the county of Lincolnshire.

In view of the ever increasing number of people eligible to apply to the fund.  A system of financial assessment has been introduced to ensure that support is provided to the people experiencing the greatest level of financial hardship.

How to Apply

Support is available with a grant, loan or towards the costs of complimentary therapy sessions.  In the event of financial emergencies, an application should be made for crisis support.

All applicants must complete an assistance level worksheet to determine which of the four levels of assistance is applicable to their individual circumstances.

The appropriate application form must then be completed and endorsed by a Social Care Worker, before being forwarded to the designated Trustee.  A decision will be made within twenty-one days.   All decisions made by the Trustees will be final.

How Payment Is Made

In most cases payment is made by cheque, made out to a supplier, company or organisation.  Please note that the cheque carries the name ‘Chris Cinclair’.

Only in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Trustees will cheques by made payable to the applicant or cash payments made.

What the Fund Will Not Pay For

(other than in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Trustees)

• Funeral Costs
• Luxury White Goods or Other Non Essential Items
• Retrospective Payments
• Personal Care
• Travel Or Accommodation of Any Kind Outside Of The United Kingdom
• Credit Card Payments
• Telephone Bills
• Repayment OF Debts
• Items Which Are Deemed To Be A Statutory Responsibility

Grants

Applications will be considered for a single one - off expense.  Which is not available through statutory provision and which can not be met by the applicants current income.

• Grants are available for essential items to meet a persons basic needs.
• Medical necessities must be supported by a letter from the hospital consultant.
• Grants to purchase specific types of equipment (ie white goods) will wherever possible be approved for purchase of guaranteed reconditioned or second hand goods, and only after other avenues of funding have been exhausted (ie community care grant).
• Support for holiday or break will only be considered in exceptional circumstances (ie respite break for carer from heavy caring responsibility).
• Applications for Grant/Loans will be considered where applicant has agreed a repayment plan for the proportion awarded as a loan.

Assistance Levels

Level 1 - Applications who fall into this category are not eligible to apply for a grant. In exceptional circumstances, an application will be considered for a crisis payment.

Level 2 - The ceiling level for any applicant in this level is £250 in a twelve month period.

Level 3 - The ceiling level for any applicant in this level is £300 in a twelve month period.

Level 4 - The ceiling level for any applicant in this level is £500 in a twelve month period.

Complimentary Therapies

• Social Care clients who have been diagnosed with HIV disease within the previous 6 months can access the organisations specialist counsellor, for 6 one hour sessions free of charge.  The referral must be made by the Social Care Worker and the organisation will make direct payment to the counsellor.
• The Trustees will consider applications for a contribution towards the cost of other complimentary therapy sessions.
• The applicants therapist must be on the organisations approved register. NB: The organisation has not proved the competence of a therapist.  The therapist will have agreed to invoice the organisation, must provide copies of qualifications and insurance to be registered.
• An applicant can apply for a block of 6 one hour sessions per application to a maximum of 12 sessions in a twelve month period.
• Travel costs to or from the therapist will not be considered.
• The fund will only contribute towards the cost of one therapist per applicant at any given time.

Assistance Levels

Level 1 - The fund will not contribute towards the cost of complimentary therapy for an applicant in this category.

Level 2 - The fund will contribute 50% of the cost of complimentary therapies. The therapist will agree to invoice the organisation and applicant separately, with each being liable for their own payments.

Level 3 - The fund will contribute 75% of the cost of complimentary therapies. The therapist will agree to invoice the organisation and applicants separately, with each being liable for their own payments.

Level 4 - The fund will pay for the full cost of complimentary therapies.

Loans

• Loans are available for any item that will enhance a persons quality of life.
• A loan will not be considered for any applicant who has outstanding payments on a previous loan from the benevolent fund.
• The applicant must agree an affordable repayment plan with the Social Care worker.  If the applicant experiences financial hardship during the term of the loan, a new repayment plan can be negotiated with the Social Care Worker.

Assistance Levels

Level 1 - The maximum loan available is £350

Level 2 - The maximum loan available is £250

Level 3 - The maximum loan available is £250

Level 4 - Applicants are not eligible to apply for a loan.

Crisis Payment

In times of financial emergencies, an application for crisis payments can be made, regardless of which assistance level is applicable to the applicant.  Rent arrears will only be considered for clients who have no access to public funds and payments will be made by cheque direct to the landlord.

Instant Access to Cash Payment

This fund is accessed through the Manager and is for one off cash payments.   A one off emergency cash payment may be made in times of dire emergency.  A maximum payment of £50 could be awarded, of which £10 cash may be given to the client and the remaining £40 to the social care worker to purchase food or other essential items for the client.