The Family Fund's definition of severe disability
To meet the Family Fund definition of severe disability, children and young people must have additional complex needs, or have a serious or life threatening illness.
AND
There must be evidence that the child’s additional needs impact on family’s choices and their opportunity to enjoy ordinary life; and the degree of planning and support required to meet their needs is much greater than that usually required to meet the needs of children and young people.
AND
They must require a high level of support in three or more of the following areas:
- The physical environment
- Education
- Communication
- Access to social activities
- Personal care, supervision and vigilance
- Specialist resources, including Information and Communications Technology, required
- Medical or therapeutic treatment and condition management
AND
The child’s condition must be long term or life limiting. By long term we mean lasting or likely to last 12 months or more.
When the FamilyFund receive an application, they will check that it meets all of their eligibility criteria.