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Funding and support

Grants and funding for disabled holidays

A stay can be paid for by you, a council, the NHS or a grant body. Here’s how each route usually works, and what to ask before you book.

What each route usually pays

Where to start with your coordinator

This is the usual pattern for each route, but your own coordinator has the last word.

Care Act

Direct payments and personal budgets

If a short break would meet needs in your support plan, a direct payment can usually help. Councils shouldn’t limit direct payments without good reason, but each sets its own rules. Whether it covers the bungalow depends on your plan, so ask before you book.

Usually covers the care hours in your plan while you’re away, and cover for a family carer’s own break. It only covers the bungalow if the plan names it.

Usually doesn’t cover travel, food or days out, or the bungalow unless your support plan names it. A long stay in a care home has different rules.

That’s from the Care Act 2014 (opens in new tab) and how councils write their handbooks. If you live in Kent, start with the number below.

Kent residents: 03000 41 61 61

Can I use direct payments for a holiday?

NHS

Continuing Healthcare and personal health budgets

Continuing Healthcare is there to pay for your care, not the holiday itself. Some teams will keep paying your usual hours while you’re away, if they agree it in writing. The bungalow rent is rarely part of that.

Usually covers the care hours you already have, if your CHC team agrees they can continue while you’re away. A personal health budget, if you have one, can also pay for care in a place that suits you.

Usually doesn’t cover the holiday itself, like travel, food or the bungalow. Nor does it add hours just because you’re away.

That’s from the GOV.UK CHC leaflet (opens in new tab) and how ICBs write holiday-support policies. In Kent, Kent & Medway ICB decides.

Kent & Medway ICB: chc@kmicb.nhs.uk

How Continuity care is arranged

Grants and self-pay

Charity awards, or you pay Restwell

You can book and pay Restwell yourselves, or put a charity award toward the stay. Grants are usually a contribution rather than the whole week, so read the letter before you lock the dates.

Usually covers part of the holiday, like a Revitalise grant of about £500. The Respite Association pays for a cover carer instead, at about £450 on average.

Usually doesn’t cover the whole stay, unless the grant letter says so. The Respite Association pays for the cover carer, not the bungalow. Food, days out and travel aren’t covered either.

Revitalise closed its centres in 2024 and now awards grants toward a break of your choice. Ask us for a quote if you need a provisional booking to apply.

Grant and advice sites

Respite for carers

Quick reference

Grants and key contacts

These are the organisations people actually use. We can’t say yes on their behalf, but we can send whatever paperwork they ask for.

Grant and advice sites

Who to call

  • Kent County Council

    If you live in Kent: assessments and direct payments

    03000 41 61 61

  • Kent & Medway ICB

    If you live in Kent or Medway: Continuing Healthcare

    chc@kmicb.nhs.uk

  • Your own council

    If you live elsewhere, start with adult social care where you live. We can still invoice them.

    Find your council (opens in new tab)

  • Continuity of Care Services

    Our sister company, on the same number as Restwell wherever you live

    01622 809881

What we send

We’ll send what they usually ask for

Tell us the dates and who’s funding the stay. Continuity can quote care on the same call if you want it.

  1. Written quote at published rates

    Your nights and the guide total, at the rates on our pricing page.

  2. Access statement and equipment list

    Every measurement and piece of kit, as a PDF for an OT or a funding panel.

  3. A care quote from Continuity, if you want care

    Continuity’s hours and rates, if you’d like care while you stay.

Dates, access needs, and who to invoice. We’ll wait until the stay is agreed before anyone pays a deposit.

Ask for the paperwork

Common questions

Questions about funding

Get the yes in writing before anyone pays a deposit. We’ll send the quote and the access statement, but the decision is your coordinator’s.

It can cover the care hours you’re already assessed for, if your CHC team agrees in writing. It doesn’t pay for the bungalow, travel or food, unless a panel says otherwise. Ask which costs they’ll take, then tell us who to invoice.

Further reading

Longer guides on paying for a break, if you want more detail.

Can I use direct payments for a holiday? Read the guide

Browse all articles in Care funding & respite

Send us your dates and who to invoice

We’ll reply with a bungalow quote at the published rates and the access statement. If you asked about care, Continuity’s quote comes on the same thread. Just let us know the dates.

Enquire See published rates