Sir Thomas Smythe’s Charity

The Sir Thomas Smythe’s Charity was founded by the will of Sir Thomas Smythe in 1625. It provides financial and pastoral support to individuals in need (usually older or disabled people) living in areas of West Kent.

Who can apply?

The Sir Thomas Smythe’s Charity can accept applications from adults who:

• Live in one of the designated 26 parishes by the Charity.
• Are in receipt of a State Retirement Pension or a disability benefit
• Live on a low income (most beneficiaries are on means-tested benefits, although each case is looked at individually)
• Live in their own home, either as a tenant or owner-occupier

If you answered YES to all of the above, you may be eligible for help. Please check the list of exceptions below to ensure that you match our detailed criteria.

What do we fund?

We can assist by:

• Providing a little extra regular income in the form of the Smythe ‘Pension’. This is a payment of £130 a quarter. The ‘Pension’ may continue for over a number of years and it is reviewed annually by the local Trustee for each parish. Local Trustees visit beneficiaries on a regular basis, to see how they are faring.
• Providing one-off grants in times of crisis. Grants are typically made for items not covered by benefits, eg unexpected household repairs or replacing domestic appliances

Who cannot apply?

We cannot help people who:

• Live outside the area of benefit
• Are not on a low income
• Live in nursing or residential care
• Are seeking to cover the cost of debts or funeral expenses.
  

How to apply

Local Trustees are on hand to help guide applicants through the process of applying for a grant or pension. They will contact you to arrange a short meeting, to learn more about your needs and circumstances.

Provided you are eligible, the Local Trustee will complete the relevant paperwork and present your case to the next Committee meeting (these take place in April and October). It is possible for applications to be considered more urgently, if the Local Trustee believes that circumstances warrant.

For contact details of your Local Trustee, please contact the Charities Administrator on 020 7213 0562 or by email to charitiesadmin@skinners.org.uk

 

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