Grants Free Personel Disabled

This week's letters

17 June

THE reaction to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s comments on Government cutbacks from politicians and seemingly most of the mainstream media is as disappointing as it is predictable. What exactly is wrong about a prominent church figure voicing concern for the poorer and weaker in society? As the journalist Victoria Coren has said: "Dr Rowan Williams is totally entitled to speak for those who feel unrepresented. That seems to be a Christian thing to do. The vitriol aimed at the Archbishop suggests he hit a nerve. A lot of people feel we did not vote for this."

Neil Laurenson
Worcester Green Party

I READ in this newspaper that almost no-one likes the look of the new Hive library building ('The Hive fails to create a buzz', The Standard, June 10). Well I do. I find the glowing golden cladding and pleasing roof shapes lift my spirits. Perhaps it is a little overwhelming, but consider this - when Worcester Cathedral was first built in the 11th century (the pre-gothic, Norman version) it was huge compared with the cottages around it and the whole exterior was plastered and painted white. It too would have been very bright and visible from miles around. A city needs exciting architecture from every era.

Helen Lubin
Astwood Road
Worcester

POLITICIANS in Westminster are now debating the fate of 80,000 disabled people as they decide whether to grant government the power to remove the Personal Independence Payment mobility component, which will be replacing Disability Living Allowance, from people living in residential care. This is a benefit that helps people meet extra mobility costs like an adapted car or accessible taxis.
The Government hopes this will save £160 million out of the £81 billion spending cuts it plans to make by 2014/15. However, while the savings may be small in relation to the overall cuts, the impact on individuals will be devastating. Removing this benefit will leave disabled people living in residential care isolated, unable to afford to leave their homes and denied the independence most people take for granted. MPs cannot allow this to happen and have the opportunity to stop it.
Last month saw the biggest UK gathering ever by disabled people and their family and friends as around 5,000 people protested against the cuts as part of The Hardest Hit campaign. We are once again calling on MPs to remember disabled people, who are being affected by spending cuts in many ways, as they decide the fate of 80,000 people living in residential care.

Getting Your Share of Individual Grants | GRANTS GUIDE

Several no-cost personal grants can be obtained if you happen to belong to a certain group.

Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance is one example of free grants allocated by the government to an individual.

Vietnam Era Veterans’ Education Assistance is money extended to individuals or families through an agency of the U.S. government. The objective for this one is to provide educational assistance to persons who entered the Armed Forces after December 31, 1976 and before July 1, 1985. Another objective for this personal grant is to allow these veterans to obtain education, and thereby promote a voluntary military program in the U.S. by attracting qualified persons to the service.

To be eligible for this Vietnam program, the applicant must have served honorably on active duty for more than 180 continuous days beginning on or after January 1, 1977. If you were discharged after such date because of a disability acquired in line of duty then you are qualified. Applicants who served more than 180 days and completed first period of obligated service or 6 years of active duty whichever comes first are also eligible for free personal grants under this program. Satisfactory contribution of a monthly deduction of to 0 from military pay from participants is also required to qualify for free personal grants. Lump sum contributions made before March 31, 1987 are allowed.

The American Cancer Society has a program that offers free personal grants to persons afflicted with cancer. Free funds are extended to treatment-related travel expenses including transportation, medicine and medical supplies.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is another organization that provides personal funds to patients in need. This program is supported entirely by public contributions.

Free grants are also available for students who intend to pursue their college studies. Pell Grants is one of the programs students can tap into to fund their advance studies. There are also a number of campus-based aid programs.

Pres. George Bush’s New Freedom Initiatives also give free personal grants to disabled persons. With the implementation and changes of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 54 million Americans are now given the chance to receive free funds to improve their educational, employment and social opportunities.

The above-mentioned programs are just a few of the many personal grant programs available today, backed by private or public funds. Usually established for a cause like scholarship or cancer-treatment, free personal grants are there to ease your personal needs.

Parliamentary debates, official report

Congressional Record (Bound Volumes), Volume 150

Year Book Australia No. 64 - 1980

Personal computers and the disabled

Disability Empowerment, Free Money for Disabled Americans to Make Dreams Reality