Call for Applications: Holiday Grant Program (New Zealand)

The Wilson Home Trust Holiday Grant Program provides financial support of up to $2,300 to families with physically disabled children or young people who need assistance with holiday accommodation and travel. The wider Wilson Home Trust grants scheme supports children and young adults aged 21 and under by funding equipment, counselling, holidays, and young adult needs to improve quality of life and wellbeing.

The Wilson Home Trust Holiday Grant Program supports families experiencing significant need who require help covering holiday accommodation and travel costs.

The programme is part of the wider Wilson Home Trust grants scheme, which aims to improve the lives of children and young people with physical disabilities by providing enriching, enjoyable, and supportive experiences.

What Is the Wilson Home Trust Grants Scheme?

The Wilson Home Trust is a charitable trust that provides targeted financial assistance to physically disabled children, young adults, and their families.

Its grants are designed to reduce hardship, improve wellbeing, and support meaningful experiences that positively impact daily life and long-term development.

Types of Grants Available

The Trust offers several grant categories, with all amounts inclusive of GST:

• Equipment or Activity Grants: Up to $5,750

• Counselling Grants: Up to $690

• Holiday Grants: Up to $2,300

• Young Adult Grants (ages 17–21): Up to $3,450

There is a total lifetime maximum of $12,190 per applicant across all grant categories.

Only one application per category can be made every 12 months until the relevant funding limit is reached.

Focus of the Holiday Grant Program

The Holiday Grant Program is specifically designed to:

• Support families who urgently need time away due to stress or hardship

• Help cover accommodation and travel costs for holidays

• Provide physically disabled children and young people with positive, restorative experiences

The grant does not cover holidays already taken or expenses already paid.

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for a Wilson Home Trust grant, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be aged 21 years or under

• Have a physical disability that is the primary reason for the funding request

• Live within the qualifying area defined by the Trust Deed, commonly described as the upper half of the North Island

Additional sensory or intellectual disabilities may be present, but these cannot be the main reason for seeking funding.

Definition of Physical Disability

The physical disability must be described using the World Health Organisation framework, covering:

• Impairments

• Activity limitations

• Participation restrictions

The cause of the disability may be congenital or acquired.

Funding Conditions and Restrictions

Applicants must confirm that:

• All other possible funding sources have been explored, such as CP Society, Lotteries Commission, and Halberg Disability Sport Foundation

• The requested item or activity cannot be funded by the government

• Funding is not requested retrospectively for items already purchased or activities already completed

Incomplete or retrospective applications are not eligible for funding.

Supporting Documentation Required

Each application must include comprehensive and up-to-date documentation.

Mandatory Documents

• A signed support letter on official letterhead from a doctor or relevant health professional, such as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist, dated within the last six months

• Proof of identity, such as a copy of a passport or driving licence

• A medical certificate confirming the diagnosis and physical disability

• Two quotes from different suppliers, including delivery or freight charges, or a clear statement if only one supplier exists

If medical evidence is unclear, a Verification of Diagnosis form must be completed by a health professional.

Requirements for the Support Letter

The support letter must confirm:

• The professional knows the child or young person

• The individual has a physical disability

• The physical disability is the primary disability related to the funding need

• The need outlined is genuine and impacts the child or family’s life

• The applicant lives within the qualifying geographic area

Young Adult Applications (Ages 17–21)

For Young Adult Grant applications, if a parent or caregiver completes the form on behalf of the applicant, a statement from the young adult confirming their agreement with the application may be required where possible.

How Applications Are Assessed

Applications are assessed based on the completeness and clarity of the information provided.

Funding decisions are communicated within two months, depending on when all required documentation is received and the timing of Trust committee meetings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting applications without complete supporting documentation

• Applying for funding after items have already been purchased or activities completed

• Failing to clearly demonstrate that the disability is primarily physical

• Not confirming that other funding sources have been explored

• Providing outdated or unsigned health professional letters

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much funding is available under the Holiday Grant Program?

Holiday grants are available for up to $2,300, inclusive of GST.

Who can apply for Wilson Home Trust grants?

Children and young adults aged 21 or under with a primary physical disability, and their families, who live in the qualifying area.

Can families apply for more than one type of grant?

Yes, but only one application per grant category can be made every 12 months, and total lifetime funding is capped at $12,190.

Are intellectual or sensory disabilities eligible?

They may be present, but the primary disability must be physical for the application to be eligible.

Can funding be used for past expenses?

No. Funding cannot be granted retrospectively.

How long does it take to receive a decision?

Decisions are typically communicated within two months once all documentation is received.

Is a health professional’s letter mandatory?

Yes. A signed support letter dated within the last six months is required for all applications.

Conclusion

The Wilson Home Trust Holiday Grant Program provides vital support to families of physically disabled children and young people who need financial assistance to access restorative holiday experiences.

Through clearly defined grant categories, strict eligibility criteria, and a focus on wellbeing, the Wilson Home Trust helps improve quality of life while ensuring funding reaches those with the greatest need.