The Programmes

a.Disability Support Scheme
This scheme is intended to provide financial support for those enduring financial hardship as a direct result of terrorist violence.  The range of support can vary from replacement /repair of household items to the purchase of equipment, all of which would improve the quality of the individual’s life. 
Eligibility:

• Officers and former officers with serious physical and /or psychological injuries caused as a direct result of terrorist violence

Serious physical and or /psychological injuries are defined as those which would entitle the applicant to a minimum Band 2 medical discharge, as determined by an occupational physician.

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate that he/she was the directly intended target of terrorist attack.

• Widows of RUC and PSNI Officers whose deaths were as a direct result of terrorist attack.
• Widows and families of officers who were eligible but die post service and Widow/ers and dependent children of officers already in receipt of support from the NI Police Fund will continue to be eligible for support when the officer has died of natural causes.
• Siblings of police officers murdered or seriously injured as a direct result of terrorist violence will only be considered eligible in exceptional circumstances, where they can prove a dependency on the person murdered /injured and can demonstrate a significant adverse and direct impact on their earnings capacity/income.   Applications of this kind will be referred for consideration by the full Board of Directors.

Evidential Requirements:
Applicants must provide documentary evidence from either PANI or the NI Policing Board, confirming their IOD banding level.
An assessment of need will be carried out in support of all applications to this scheme. Applicants must provide details of their financial circumstances in the application form.
Quotes must be supplied in respect of all items for which the applicant is seeking assistance, one quote for under £500, two for £500 -  £1,000, and three for quotes over £1,000.
Note: Any request for counselling (debt, generic/psychological) will initially be referred to the Chief Executive who will then approve/not approve an Assessment Report to be completed by an independent professional counsellor appointed by the Fund to determine what and how treatment is required to resolve issues.

Maximum Individual Grant: £6,000:  

Awards above this threshold will only be considered where there is clear evidence that the client has no disposable, or a negative disposable, income and no savings.

Once an application has been approved a client can only apply again within 12 months of the awarding of the grant in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Board.  Clients cannot re-apply for the same item if their first request for that item has been declined, nor can applications be split into separate parts to avoid the capping of awards.

b. Bereavement Support Scheme

This fund is intended to provide financial support to those bereaved as a direct result of terrorist violence.

Eligibility:

• A widow/er of an officer* whose death occurred as a direct result of terrorist violence.

• Widows and families of officers who were eligible but die post service; and Widow/ers and dependent children of officers already in receipt of support from the NI Police Fund will continue to be eligible for support when the officer has died of natural causes

• A parent (and, where appropriate, the legal guardians) or sibling# of an officer* whose death occurred as a direct result of terrorist violence.

#Applications from siblings will only be considered in exceptional circumstances where the applicant can clearly demonstrate a significant, adverse and direct impact on their current earning capacity.
 
* No distinction is made in the case of a former police officer murdered by terrorists after his/her service where death occurred as a direct result of having been a police officer.
Evidential Requirements:
An assessment of financial need will be carried out in support of all applications to this scheme. Applicants must provide details of their financial circumstances on the application form.
Widow/ers of officers whose death occurred as a direct result of terrorist violence will be required to verify their marital status to the deceased member.
Information will be obtained from” Lost Lives” book to verify the nature and date of death.
Verification may also be sought from PSNI Pensions Branch to confirm Widow/er status.
Note: In the event of requests for counselling (debt consolidation, generic/psychological) a referral will initially be made to the Chief Executive who will decide if an Assessment Report is required from an independent professional counsellor appointed by the Fund to determine what type of treatment and number of sessions would be required to resolve the issues raised.

Maximum Individual Grant: £6,000 with families receiving an additional £1k increment for first dependant child and £500 for each dependant child thereafter; (such funding is at the discretion of the Board).

Awards above this threshold will only be considered where there is clear evidence that the client has no disposable, or a negative disposable, income and no savings.

Once an application has been approved he/she can only apply again within 12 months of the awarding of the grant in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Board.  Clients cannot re-apply for the same item if their first request for that item has been declined nor can applications be split into separate parts to avoid the capping of awards.

c. Disability Adaptations Scheme
For those eligible, this fund is intended to provide funding for the provision of specialised equipment, or adaptations to dwellings, for those seriously injured as a direct result of terrorist violence.  This includes those whose conditions, arising from injuries as a direct result of terrorist violence, are degenerative or compounded by age or infirmity, as well as the needs of those with sensory impairment.

• Officers and former officers with serious physical and /or psychological injuries caused as a direct result of terrorist violence

Serious physical and or /psychological injuries are defined as those which would entitle the applicant to a minimum Band 2 medical discharge, as determined by an occupational physician.

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate that he/she was the directly intended target of terrorist attack.

• Widows of RUC and PSNI Officers whose deaths were as a direct result of terrorist attack.
• Widows and families of officers who were eligible but die post service and Widow/ers and dependent children of officers already in receipt of support from the NI Police Fund will continue to be eligible for support when the officer has died of natural causes.
• A parent (and, where appropriate, the legal guardians) or sibling of an officer* whose death occurred as a direct result of terrorist violence.

Evidential Requirements:
A report by an Occupational Therapist appointed by the Northern Ireland Police Fund may be required.
Contact with the client’s GP may be made.
Documentary evidence from PANI or the NI Policing Board of their IOD banding award.

Maximum Grant: No upper limit, although NIPF may seek grant assistance and verification that there is no duplicate funding from other agencies. Once an application has been approved he/she can only apply again within 12 months of the awarding of the grant in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Board.  Clients cannot re-apply for the same item if their first request for that item has been declined nor can applications be split into separate parts to avoid the capping of awards.

d. Regular Payments

This fund is intended to provide a regular top up to those eligible clients who are on very low incomes

Eligibility

Widows, ex officers and parents whose total income including any partners income and any benefits paid is £10864 for 2008/09 per annum or less.

• Officers and former officers with serious physical injuries caused as a direct result of terrorist violence.

“Serious injuries” are deemed to be those which would entitle the applicant to an Band 2 medical discharge, as defined by an occupational physician.

• A widow/er of an officer* whose death occurred as a direct result of terrorist violence.

• Widows of officers who were eligible but die post service; and Widow/ers already in receipt of support from the NI Police Fund will continue to be eligible for support when the officer has died of natural causes

• A parent of an officer whose death occurred as a direct result of terrorist violence.

Application

An application is necessary to include information on all income received or earned together with proof of earnings.

Evidential requirements

Full details of income including any partners income and any benefits paid. This can be by bank statement(s), pay or pension slips or other official documents which shows the levels of income received.

Consideration of application

Applications will be considered by the Chief Executive who, if satisfied that payment is appropriate, will authorise payment. If there is any doubt in a case the Chief Executive will refer the matter to case conference for clarification. As with other schemes clients will have a right of appeal should they be unhappy with the decision of the Chief Executive or Case Conference.

Payment

Payment will be made in 2 instalments each year, 1 April and 30 September. Ongoing payments will only be made on receipt of a certification from the client that their financial circumstances have not changed since the last award. The client will have to acknowledge receipt of the payment. The effective date of this scheme is 1 April 2005 and eligible clients will have an immediate payment made following receipt of the information required.

Review of grant level

The amount payable will be reviewed annually by Government to ensure the amount payable remains appropriate and at that stage each eligible client will be required to resubmit their financial details before further payments are authorised.
Maximum grant
The total amount payable will be variable according to the individuals circumstances. The level of payment will be set to make the families income up to the threshold of £10864. 

e. Prostheses / Wheelchair Grants
This fund is intended to ensure that those police officers and former police officers eligible have access to the most appropriate prostheses or mobility aids.
Widows of RUC/PSNI officers, who were murdered or seriously injured through terrorist violence, can access help with wheelchairs only under this particular scheme.
Eligibility:

• Officers and former officers with serious physical injuries caused as a direct result of terrorist violence

“Serious injuries” are deemed to be those which would entitle the applicant to a Band 2 medical discharge, as defined by an occupational physician.

• Widow/ers of RUC and PSNI officers whose death occurred as a direct result of terrorist violence.
• Dependent children of RUC/PSNI officers whose parent(s) (and, where appropriate, the legal guardians), has/have been seriously injured or murdered by terrorists

Dependent is defined as “under 18 years of age at the time of application” or “in full time education”.

• A parent of an officer whose death occurred as a direct result of terrorist violence

Evidential Requirements:
Full report by an Occupational Therapist, or Orthopaedic Medical Consultant, appointed by the Northern Ireland Police Fund.  Documentary evidence from either PANI or the NI Policing Board of their IOD banding award may be sought where applicable.

Maximum Grant:  No upper limit, although grant assistance may be sought from other agencies. Once an application had been approved clients can only apply again within 12 months of the awarding of the grant in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Board.  Clients cannot re-apply for the same item if their first request for that item has been declined nor can applications be split into separate parts to avoid the capping of awards.

f. Carers respite breaks

The Short Break Scheme provides short breaks and respite care breaks for primary carers of officers, ex officers, parents and the widows of murdered officers who have suffered as a result of the terrorist campaign and who meet the NIPF eligibility criteria. For the purposes of this scheme, a Primary Carer is defined as someone who has the sole responsibility for caring for an eligible ex officer who has been injured, and who would ordinarily be unable to take a respite break because of their responsibility for the dependant.

It will be for the carer to decide how to use the funding but the amount is intended to provide the carer with a short break and any respite service required during the break if the dependent is unable to travel with them.

Eligibility

This scheme is designed to recognise the role of the primary carer of disabled officers, ex officers, parents and widows. Normally the primary carer will be a spouse but it is recognised that in some circumstances it may be someone else. In this latter case the carer will have to be able to demonstrate that they provide the primary care role.

• Carers of:

Officers and former officers with serious physical injuries caused as a direct result of terrorist violence.

“Serious injuries” are deemed to be those which would entitle the applicant to an Band 2 medical discharge, as defined by an occupational physician.

• A widow/er of an officer whose death occurred as a direct result of terrorist violence.

• Widows of officers who were eligible but die post service; and Widow/ers already in receipt of support from the NI Police Fund will continue to be eligible for support when the officer has died of natural causes
• A parent of an officer whose death occurred as a direct result of terrorist violence

Receipt of mid level (or above) Disability Living allowance or the lower rate of attendance allowance or constant attendance allowance or your doctor certifies that the client requires:

• frequent attention from another person throughout the day in connection with bodily functions; or
• Continual supervision throughout the day in order to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others; or
• Prolonged or repeated attention at night in connections with bodily functions; or
• Another person to be awake at night for a prolonged period or at frequent intervals for the purpose of watching over the client in order to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others.

Application

Completed on the standard application form to include:

Name of our client
Name of your primary carer and address (if different)
Proof of receipt of mid range disability allowance or attendance allowance
If not your spouse, proof that the person is the primary carer

Payment

The primary carer will be granted under the scheme £600 per year (in 2 parts) to allow the carer two short breaks per financial year. The funding cannot be accumulated to provide for a longer break.

Evidential Requirements

The awards will NOT be subject to consideration of your financial position.

Full receipts for each grant awarded is not required but before any subsequent payments are made the carer will have to provide evidence that the money was spent on a respite break.

Subsequent payments will only be made on receipt of evidence that the funding has been used for the purpose intended by the scheme

Maximum grant

£600 per year paid in 2 parts. Payment will be made direct to the carer.

 g. Educational Bursaries Scheme

This fund is intended to provide financial assistance to those eligible whose lives have been adversely affected as a direct result of terrorist violence, and who may benefit from supported access to education.

Eligibility:

• A widow/er of an officer whose death occurred as a direct result of terrorist violence. No distinction is made in the case of a former police officer injured or murdered after his/her service where the death or injury occurred as a direct result of having been a police officer.
• A dependant child of an eligible officer or an officer whose death occurred as a direct result of terrorist violence. Dependent is defined as “under 18 years of age at the time of application” or “in full time further or higher education ” and in receipt of a pension from PSNI Pensions Branch. Applications for educational bursaries for full time third level education beyond degre level including post –graduate courses will only be considered as long as the client remains in full time education without a break. This is line with the policy from PSNI Pensions Branch. Exceptionally, where the Policing Board has approved a break year in education for pension purposes the Fund may also consider funding a bursary.
• Widow/ers and families of officers who were eligible but die post service will continue to be eligible for support when the officer has died of natural causes.
• The parents (and where appropriate the legal guardians) of police officers murdered by terrorists.
• Officers and Ex-Officers can avail of funding for educational bursaries subject to amounts received from PRRT and ratification by the Board.

 Evidential Requirements:

Evidence of their course of study, attendance at their school/university/institute and where appropriate evidence that the student is living away from hme.

Evidence that he/she is still in receipt of a Police pension from PSNI Pensions Branch may be required.

Fixed level Grants:
Primary /Secondary Education:  £275 per child per year.

Tertiary Education excludes professional training whilst employed).

£1000 For students living a home while attending a tertiary level course other than at university or equivalent 

£2,000 - Students at university or equivalent and living at home.

£3,000 - Students at university or equivalent and  living away from home.

NIPF may seek grant verification that there is no duplicate funding from other agencies. Once an application had been approved client can only apply again within 12 months of the awarding of the grant in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Board.  Clients cannot re-apply for the same item if their first request for that item has been declined nor can applications be split into separate parts to avoid the capping of awards.

h. Chronic Pain Management Scheme
This fund is intended to provide access to specialist treatment for those experiencing long-term pain as a direct result of terrorist violence.  Intervention may include provision of a place on a pain management programme, such as that provided by PRRT, referral to medical or approved alternative providers appointed by the Northern Ireland Police Fund.

Eligibility:

• Officers and former officers* with serious physical injuries caused as a direct result of terrorist violence

“Serious injuries” are deemed to be those which would entitle the applicant to an Band 2 medical discharge as defined by an occupational physician.

• A carer of an officer or former officer with serious physical injuries can also apply for support through the Chronic Pain Management Scheme where he/she can clearly demonstrate that such support will have a positive impact upon the life of the officer for whom he/she has primary caring responsibility.

* No distinction is made in the case of a former police officer injured by terrorists after his/her service where the injury occurred as a direct result of having been a police officer.

Evidential Requirements:

Assessment report by relevant specialist if requested by the Board; GP referral.

Documentary evidence from either PANI or NI Policing Board confirming their IOD banding level.

Maximum Grant: No upper limit subject to Board and specialist approval. Once an application has been approved client can only apply again within 12 months of the awarding of the grant in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Board.  Clients cannot re-apply for the same item if their first request for that item has been declined nor can applications be split into separate parts to avoid the capping of awards.

i. Psychological Support Scheme

This fund is utilised to provide counselling and psychological support to those whose mental health has been adversely affected as a direct result of terrorist violence.  This  service is provided through PTTR. An initial assessment report is sought to indicate level of treatment required and associated costs.  Clients’ treatment will be subject to regular review to monitor progress and future need requirements.

Eligibility:

• A widow (including those who have remarried) or family member (dependant child, parent or sibling) of an officer* whose death occurred as a direct result of terrorist violence.
• Former officers* and his/her family members (dependant, parent or sibling) who have suffered serious physical and/or psychological injuries as a direct result of terrorist violence.

•       Siblings will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
•  Widow/ers and families of officers who were eligible but die post service; and Widow/ers and dependent children of officers already in receipt of support from the NI Police Fund will continue to be eligible for support when the officer has died of natural causes
• Dependent children of RUC/PSNI officers whose parents and, where appropriate, the legal guardians, have been seriously injured or murdered by terrorists
• Parents of officers murdered by terrorists
• Serving PSNI officers will only be considered following a referral from PSNI Occupational Health and Welfare.

*   No distinction is made in the case of a former police officer murdered or injured by terrorists after his/her service where the death or injury occurred as a direct result of having been a police officer.

Note:  Initially, any application for psychological counselling will be referred to the Chief Executive who will consider the request and determine the need for an independent professional counsellor’s assessment report. This should indicate what counselling is required and for how long.