Healthcare
There is a range of assistance available to individuals with a Masonic connection and a healthcare need.
- Medical: Grants for medical treatment or surgery are available when there is a wait of 12 weeks or more for NHS treatment (8 weeks or more for cardiac or cancer treatment).
- Dental: For clinically necessary treatments needed to restore dental health which costs in excess of NHS charging rates.
- Mobility Care: To help applicants retain their independence, grants are available for a range of mobility aids including power chairs, stair lifts, and car hoists. Grants are also available for home adaptions required for medical or mobility reasons, such as wet room installation, entry ramps, and widening doorways.
- Respite Care: Grants are available towards the costs of short-term residential care breaks, domiciliary care in the home, and day centre care.
- Counselling: Free confidential support for those experiencing depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health problems.
- Consultation and Assessment: Grants are available to cover the costs of consultations or assessments where individuals are facing a wait of longer than 8 weeks.
Who can apply for a healthcare support?
All applicants for healthcare support must have a Masonic connection.
Help with medical and dental treatment is given where these is a diagnosed need, the person faces a long wait for medical treatment or the care is not covered by the NHS, and they cannot afford to fund it privately.
What are the eligibility criteria for healthcare support?
If you need healthcare support then your eligiblity for a grant will depend on what income and savings you have, and other relevant criteria. It is not possible to give details here of the rules used as they are dependent on need and are reviewed on a regular basis. The MSF provides an eligibility calculator to help individuals assess their eligibility.
We would encourage anyone requiring help with one or more of the needs listed above to contact Freemasonry Cares on 2020 035 60 90 for a confidential discussion. We will then be able to indicate if you are likely to qualify, or could point you in the direction of other sources of help.
How to apply
Contact Freemasonry Cares on 2020 035 60 90 for a confidential discussion about your situation, including guidance on applying for support. Alternatively you can speak to your Lodge Almoner or the Provincial Grand Almoner.
Further information
For further information about the healthcare support available from the central Masonic Charities contact Freemasonry Cares on 2020 035 60 90.
Updated December 2020