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Extra help with essential
costs if you’re ona
lowincome
If you live on a low income, it can be hard to meet
unexpected essential costs. You might be able
toget help with some of these expenses from
your local council, the government’s Social Fund
or a charity grant.
This factsheet explains some of the options,
whether you might qualify and how to apply.
Call free on 0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9
Visit independentage.org
Last review date: April 20 24 Next review date: April 20 25
Extra help with essential costs if you’re on a low income – April 2024
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About Independent Age
No one should face financial hardship in later life.
Independent Age is a national charity providing support for older
people facing financial hardship. We offer free impartial advice and
information on what matters most: money, housing and care.
We financially support local community organisations across the UK
through our grants programme. We campaign for change for older
people struggling with their finances.
You can call us on freephone 0800 319 6789 (Monday to Friday,
8.30am to 5.30pm) or email helpline@independentage.org to
arrange to speak to one of our advisers.
To donate or help support our work, please visit
independentage.org/support-us.
In this factsheet, you’ll find references to our other free publications.
You can order them by calling 0800 319 6789 orbyvisiting
independentage.org/publications.
Extra help with essential costs if you’re on a low income – April 2024
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Contents
1. Extra help if you’re on a low income 4
2. Help with unexpected costs 5
3. Short-term benefit advances 9
4. Budgeting Loans and Budgeting Advances 11
5. Help towards the cost of a funeral 14
6. Help with heating costs 17
7. Debt advice 21
8. Grants from charities 24
9. Food banks and other support 29
10. Summary 30
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1. Extra help if you’re on a low income
If you’re living on a low income, it can be hard to budget for emergency
or unexpected costs, such as a broken-down washing machine, home
repairs or a funeral.
The good news is that you may qualify for a one-off grant, loan or other
type of help, depending on your income or what benefits you claim.
This factsheet looks at what help you might be able to get and how
toapply for it.
Good to know
It’s a good idea to check if you qualify for any
benefits. Youcould be missing out on extra money
you’re entitled to. Tryour online calculator at
independentage.org/benefits-calculator or call
our Helpline on 0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9 to arrange a free
benefitscheck.
If you're struggling to pay your rent or mortgage, you may be
able to claim help with housing costs, such as Housing Benefit or
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs). For more information,
seeourHelp with housing costs guide.
Extra help with essential costs if you’re on a low income – April 2024
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2. Help with unexpected costs
If you need help in an emergency, or you're experiencing hardship because
of the rising cost of living, you may be able to get help from the government
or your local council. The help you can get depends on your circumstances
and where you live.
England
Ask your local council if they have a Local Welfare Assistance Scheme.
These provide help with unexpected or emergency expenses to people
on a low income.
Schemes vary from area to area and not all councils run them. Some
councils use the money allocated for this to support local projects, such
as food banks, credit unions and homelessness prevention schemes.
In some areas you may be able to apply directly to the council for help,
which is usually in the form of:
• vouchers
• food parcels
• pre-payment cards
• furniture
• white goods.
You can’t usually get cash.
You’re not automatically entitled to help. Contact your local council to
find out what’s available and whether you qualify. You may need to be
getting certain benefits to apply.
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Your council will also know what other help is available in your area,
suchas:
• food banks
• community hubs that provide hot food
• vouchers for fuel
• places to get second-hand furniture or clothes.
Scotland
Contact your local council if you need urgent help with food, money
or fuel costs. You may qualify for a Crisis Grant or a Community
CareGrant.
Crisis Grant
You may be able to get a Crisis Grant to cover the costs of an
emergency or an unexpected crisis – for example, if:
• you need help to get food or to pay for heating
• you have a fire or flood at home
• you've lost money.
To qualify, you need to be on a low income, but you do not have to be
getting benefits.
Community Care Grant
A Community Care Grant is to help you or someone you care for to live
independently in the community. It can help with expenses like cookers
and fridges, furniture, travel costs, removal costs if you need to move to
a more suitable place to live, or minor alterations to your home.
You need to be on a low income, but you don’t have to be getting
benefits. If you have savings of more than £700, or £1,200 if you get
apension, you may not qualify.
Contact your local council to find out more or to apply, or visit
mygov.scot/scottish-welfare-fund.
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Wales
In Wales, there is a national scheme called the Discretionary Assistance
Fund. This provides two types of grants:
Individual Assistance Payment
This is a grant to help you or someone you care for to live
independently. You can use it to pay for:
• white goods, such as a fridge, cooker or washing machine
• furniture, such as beds, sofas and chairs.
You must be getting certain benefits, such as Guarantee
Pension Credit or Universal Credit, to qualify. There are also
more requirements – to check whether you qualify, visit
gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf/eligibility.
Emergency Assistance Payment
You may be able to get a one-off payment if you don’t have any other
way of paying for essential costs, such as food, gas, electricity, clothing
or emergency travel.
To qualify, you must be in extreme financial hardship and need help
urgently. For example, if you’ve applied for benefits and you’re waiting
for your first payment or you have no money to buy food, gas and
electricity.
Contact the Discretionary Assistance Fund to find out more and to
apply (0 8 0 0 8 5 9 5 9 2 4, gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf).
Youcan also contact our Helpline for advice (0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9).
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If you’re turned down
The council or scheme you've applied to should write to tell you
whether they will give you this help, and explain their decision. The
decision letter should explain how to ask for the decision to be looked
atagain, and how long you have to do this.
However, these schemes are discretionary, so you can’t appeal if you’re
turneddown.
If you’ve been turned down, you can get advice from an organisation
such as Citizens Advice:
• England – 0 8 0 0 1 4 4 8 8 4 8
• Scotland – 0 8 0 0 0 2 8 1 4 5 6
• Wales – 0 8 0 0 7 0 2 2 0 2 0
• citizensadvice.org.uk.
They may be able to help you find other sources of support.
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3. Short-term benefit advances
If you’re waiting for your first payment of a benefit and you’re in urgent
financial need, you can apply for a short-term benefit advance. You
do not have to pay interest on this, but you will have to pay it back.
Ifyou qualify, you’ll usually get the advance the same day or the
nextworkingday.
You can ask for an advance if you have recently applied for:
• Pension Credit
• State Pension
• Carer’s Allowance
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit.
How do I apply?
Depending on the benefit you’ve applied for, call:
• Pension Credit or State Pension – 0 8 0 0 7 3 1 0 4 6 9
• Carer’s Allowance – 0 8 0 0 7 3 1 0 2 9 7
• ESA or JSA – 0 8 0 0 1 6 9 0 3 1 0
• Universal Credit – 0 8 0 0 3 2 8 5 6 4 4 or apply through your online
account or by contacting your local Jobcentre Plus.
How much money you get will depend on your circumstances.
Remember
Think carefully about how repayments will affect your
future income before you take out a benefit advance.
You’ll have to repay the advance – some money will be
taken from your benefit each week until it's paid back.
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If you’re turned down
You can ask for the decision to be looked at again. Contact the office
that made the decision. They should tell you how to do this and how
long you have. You can’t appeal against the refusal to award a short-
term benefit advance. If you need advice, contact our Helpline and
arrange to speak to an adviser (0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9).
To do
If you’re on a low income, or have a health condition
or disability, there may be extra money you can
claim. If you haven’t already done so, make sure
you’re claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to.
Call our Helpline on 0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9 to arrange a
benefits check or try our online benefits calculator
(independentage.org/benefits-calculator).
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4. Budgeting Loans and Budgeting
Advances
A Budgeting Loan is an interest-free loan to help with essential one-off
expenses that are difficult to budget for, including:
• furniture and household equipment, such as a cooker or
washing
machine
• clothes and footwear
• rent in advance
• moving costs
• essential travel expenses within the UK
• home improvements, maintenance or security
• funeral costs
• hire purchase or other debts for any of the above.
You can apply for a Budgeting Loan if you or your partner have been
getting one of the following benefits for at least six months, either
consecutively or with breaks of no more than 28 days:
• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
If you've moved from Universal Credit to Pension Credit, any time that
you were claiming Universal Credit will count towards the six months.
If you get Universal Credit, you’ll have to apply for a Budgeting Advance
instead of a Budgeting Loan.
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What might I get?
The smallest amount you can ask for is £100. You can get up to:
• £348 if you’re single
• £464 if you’re part of a couple
• £812 if you or your partner claim child benefit.
The amount also depends on whether you:
• can pay the loan back
• have savings of more than £1,000 (or £2,000 if you or your partner
are63or over)
• have any other Budgeting Loans.
You normally have to repay the loan within two years. The amount you
repay is based on your income, including any benefits you receive and
what you can afford.
You can't owe more than £1,500 in Budgeting Loans.
How do I apply?
Apply online (gov.uk/budgeting-help-benefits/how-to-apply), or
complete form S F 5 0 0, which you can:
• download from gov.uk/government/publications/budgeting-loan-
claim-form
• pick up from your local Jobcentre Plus office
(gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus)
• request by calling the Social Fund Enquiry Line on 08 0 0 1 6 9 0 1 4 0.
Your claim can take up to seven days if you apply online or 21 days by
post. It's usually quicker if you apply online. Contact our Helpline for
support to apply online (0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9).
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If your claim is successful, you must accept the loan offer before you
can get the money. You can do this online or by post, depending on
how you applied. You'll get your money within seven days if you accept
online, or within 21 days if you accept by post.
If you get Universal Credit, you can apply for a Budgeting Advance.
Youcan apply through your online account, by calling 0 8 0 0 3 2 8 5 6 4 4
or by contacting your nearest Jobcentre Plus.
If you’re turned down
You can ask for the decision to be looked at again. To do this, you must
write to the benefit office that made the decision. Your letter must arrive
within 28 days of the date on the decision letter. You should say why
you think the decision waswrong. You can also challenge the decision
ifyou're not happy with how much you've been awarded.
You will then receive a reviewed decision. If you’re still unhappy, you
have 28 days to ask an Independent Case Examiner to investigate. You
must have asked the benefit office to review the decision before you can
do this. You can find out more from gov.uk/government/publications/
budgeting-loans-how-to-ask-for-a-further-independent-review or
bycalling the Independent Case Examiner on 0 8 0 0 4 1 4 8 5 2 9.
Good to know
You will have to repay any Budgeting Loans, Budgeting
Advances and short-term benefit advances (chapter 3)
you receive. You don’t have to repay Funeral Expenses
Payments (chapter 5), Cold Weather Payments (chapter6)
or Winter Fuel Payments (chapter 6).
If you're struggling to repay a loan or advance, call
the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Debt
Management contact centre on 0 8 0 0 9 1 6 0 6 4 7.
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5. Help towards the cost of a funeral
If you’re on a low income and responsible for paying for a funeral, you
may qualify for a Funeral Expenses Payment. In Scotland, this is known
as a Funeral Support Payment.
Who can claim?
You can claim a Funeral Expenses Payment or Funeral Support Payment
if you or your partner receive one of the following benefits:
• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (J S A)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (E S A)
• the disability elements of Working Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Child Tax Credit
• Universal Credit.
You might also qualify if you're getting a Support for Mortgage
Interest loan.
You can still make a claim if you’ve applied for one of these benefits and
you’re waiting for a decision.
You must have had a close relationship with the person who died – for
example, they may have been your partner. If they were a close relative
or friend, the Department for Work and Pensions (D W P) will check
whether you’re the most appropriate person to pay for the funeral or
whether another relative (who isn’t receiving one of the benefits listed
above) could pay instead.
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You must make a claim within six months of the funeral.
You don’t personally have to repay a Funeral Expenses Payment/Funeral
Support Payment, but any money left from the estate of the person who
died may be used to repay it.
What can I claim for?
The Funeral Expenses Payment/Funeral Support Payment can help to
pay for:
• burial or cremation costs, including the cost of the doctor’s certificate
• a return journey to arrange or go to the funeral
• the reasonable cost of moving the body within the U K, for the part
ofthe journey over 50 miles
• up to £1,000 (£1,070.60 in Scotland) for other funeral expenses, such
as a coffin, flowers or funeral director’s fees
• death certificates and other documents.
If the person who died had a pre-paid funeral plan, you will only get
£120 (£130.65 in Scotland) for items not covered by the plan. The
amount you get may also be affected if they had an insurance policy.
Good to know
The amount you get from a Funeral Expenses Payment or
Funeral Support Payment varies, but usually won’t cover
the full cost of even a simplefuneral.
You will have to pay any extra costs yourself. You may
be able to apply for a Budgeting Loan or a Budgeting
Advance to help with the cost as well.
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How do I claim?
You can claim by calling the Bereavement Service helpline on
0 8 0 0 1 5 1 2 0 1 2 . To claim by post, complete form S F 2 0 0, which you can
download from gov.uk/funeral-payments/how-to-claim.
In Scotland, you can claim online or download a claim form at
mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment/how-to-apply. Or you can
claimby calling Social Security Scotland on 0 8 0 0 1 8 2 2 2 2 2 .
Both the Funeral Expenses Payment and Funeral Support Payment are
usually paid directly to the funeral director. If they’ve already been paid,
the money will be paid into youraccount.
If you’re turned down
You can appeal if you disagree with the decision, but you must ask for a
mandatory reconsideration first – called a redetermination in Scotland
– unless the decision letter tells you that you can appeal straightaway.
Youmust ask for a mandatory reconsideration or redetermination within
one month of the date of the decision or 31 days in Scotland.
It’s a good idea to get advice – speak to our Helpline (0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9) or
your local Citizens Advice (0 8 0 0 1 4 4 8 8 4 8 in England, 0 8 0 0 7 0 2 2 0 2 0
in Wales or 0 8 0 0 0 2 8 1 4 5 6 in Scotland; citizensadvice.org.uk).
See our factsheet What to do if you disagree with a benefits decision
for more information.
Good to know
See our guide Coping with bereavement for more
advice about dealing with grief and managing costs
whensomeone has died.
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6. Help with heating costs
Winter Fuel Payment
Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help with heating costs
during winter. You may qualify for a payment in winter 2024/25 if you’ve
reached State Pension age by the qualifying week. This is the week
beginning on the fourth Monday in September. You can check your
State Pension age at gov.uk/state-pension-age to find out when you
qualify.
If you qualify, you’ll receive a Winter Fuel Payment automatically if you or
your partner get State Pension or certain other benefits. You should get
the payment by mid-January. If you don’t, contact the office that pays
your benefits.
If you qualify but don’t get it automatically because you aren't getting
any benefits such as State Pension, you’ll need to make a claim by
calling the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0 8 0 0 7 3 1 0 1 6 0. You only
need to claim once and then payments will be made every year as
long as your circumstances don’t change. The amount you'll get in
winter 2024/25 depends on your circumstances, such as your age
and who you live with. To see how much you could receive, visit
gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-much-youll-get.
You may still be entitled to receive a Winter Fuel Payment if you live in
Switzerland or certain E E A countries and get a State Pension.
In Scotland, Pension Age Winter Heating Assistance will replace
Winter Fuel Payment in winter 2024. For more information, visit
gov.scot/policies/social-security/help-with-heating-costs.
Cold Weather Payments
In England and Wales, Cold Weather Payments help people on a low
income with increased heating costs when it’s very cold. You may qualify
if you or your partner receive Pension Credit, certain other means-tested
benefits or a Support for Mortgage Interest loan.
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You’ll get £25 each time the average temperature in your area has
been, or is predicted to be, 0°C (32°F) or below for seven days in a
rowbetween 1 November and 31 March.
You don’t need to make a claim because payments are made
automatically. If you don’t receive your Cold Weather Payment, contact
the Pension Service on 0 8 0 0 7 3 1 0 4 6 9 or your local Jobcentre Plus
(gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus). If you receive Universal Credit,
contacttheir helpline instead on 0 8 0 0 3 2 8 5 6 4 4.
If you live in Scotland and you're getting Pension Credit or certain other
benefits during the qualifying week in November, you'll get a Winter
Heating Payment of £50.05. This is an annual payment and does not
depend on the temperature.
You should get your payment in December or January. If you don't and
you think you qualify, contact Social Security Scotland (0 8 0 0 1 8 2 2 2 2 2).
Winter Fuel Payment, Cold Weather Payments and Winter Heating
Payment won’t affect your other benefits.
To do
See our guide Winterwise for more information about
looking after yourself in winter.
Call us on 0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9 to arrange a free benefits
check, or use our online benefits calculator at
independentage.org/benefits-calculator.
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Help with energy bills
If you’re having problems paying your energy bills, some energy
companies have grants or trusts that can help. You can apply to them
even if you’re not their customer. Contact your own supplier first to find
out if they have grants available. You could also try the following:
• British Gas Energy Trust, which helps people with gas or electricity
debts
(0 1 2 1 3 4 8 7 7 9 7, britishgasenergytrust.org.uk). You must
get debt advice from a recognised organisation before you apply
(see chapter 7 for where you can get free debt advice or visit
britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/fuel-and-money-advice)
• Charis Grants, which can direct you to organisations that can help
with energy debts (0 1 7 3 3 4 2 1 0 2 1, charisgrants.com/individuals).
Ifyou’re on certain benefits, you may also be able to get funding from
Charis Grants to pay for white goods, such as awashing machine or
cooker
• the government website, which has an online energy grants
finder and advice about energy efficiency (0 8 0 0 4 4 4 2 0 2,
gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency). In Scotland, contact Home
Energy Scotland (0 8 0 8 8 0 8 2 2 8 2 , homeenergyscotland.org).
InWales, contact Nest (0 8 0 8 8 0 8 2 2 4 4, nest.gov.wales)
• Local Energy Advice Partnership (L E A P), which is a free energy and
money saving advice service (0 8 0 0 0 6 0 7 5 6 7, applyforleap.org.uk).
You may qualify for help if you’re on a low income or certain benefits,
or you have a health condition or disability
• N E A’s Warm and Safe Homes Advice Service (W A S H) (0 8 0 0 3 0 4 7 1 5 9,
nea.org.uk/wash-advice), which provides free advice and support.
Good to know
You may qualify for a £150 discount on your electricity or
g
as bill if you receive Guarantee Pension Credit or you’re on
a low income. Contact your energy supplier or the Warm
Home Discount Scheme to find out more
(0 8 0 0 0 3 0 9 3 2 2 ,
gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme).
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If you're struggling to pay your energy bills
because of rising energy costs
If you're struggling to pay your energy bills due to rising costs, contact
your energy supplier to see what support they can offer. Take a look at
our Managing your energy bills web page for more information and tips
– independentage.org/managing-your-energy-bills.
The government's Help for Households page also has energy
saving tips and advice to help with the rising cost of living
(helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk).
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7. Debt advice
It’s never too early or too late to get help with debts. If you’re having
debt problems, you can get free, specialist advice from:
• National Debtline (0 8 0 8 8 0 8 4 0 0 0, nationaldebtline.org)
• Stepchange (0 8 0 0 1 3 8 1 1 1 1 , stepchange.org)
• Debt Advice Foundation (0 8 0 0 0 4 3 4 0 5 0, debtadvicefoundation.org).
These charities will offer confidential, practical help. Depending on your
situation, they can:
• help you to work out your budget
• check if you have to pay for a debt
• help you work out your priority debts – the ones you need to pay first
• advise you on the best way to manage your debts
• help you work out a plan to pay back what you owe
• negotiate with the people you owe money to – your creditors
• advise you on your rights.
You can also contact your local Citizens Advice for money and debt
advice:
• England – debt helpline 0 8 0 0 2 4 0 4 4 2 0
• Scotland – 0 8 0 0 0 2 8 1 4 5 6
• Wales – 0 8 0 0 7 0 2 2 0 2 0
• citizensadvice.org.uk.
Or, you can search for free debt advice agencies in your area on the
MoneyHelper website (moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/
dealing-with-debt/debt-advice-locator). A debt advice service may
beable to refer you to apply for some grants – see chapter 8.
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If you’re facing repossession or eviction, you should get advice as
soon as possible. Contact Shelter (0 8 0 8 8 0 0 4 4 4 4, shelter.org.uk,
scotland.shelter.org.uk in Scotland, sheltercymru.org.uk in Wales)
orthe organisations on page 21 for specialist debt advice. If you're
inEngland or Wales, call our Helpline for advice (0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9).
Ask for a breathing space
In England and Wales, you may be able to get temporary protection
from interest, charges or court action, through the government’s Debt
Respite Scheme. This is known as Breathing Space. A breathing space
lasts for up to 60 days. Your creditors shouldn’t contact you during that
time. If this scheme is right for you, you’ll need to apply through a debt
advice service.
In Scotland, you may be able to agree a moratorium period, which
is similar. This lasts for up to six months. You can only get this if you
have received debt advice and are considering a debt solution, such as
bankruptcy or a Trust Deed. Speak to a debt advice service to find out
more.
Emotional support
Money worries can make you feel stressed and anxious, which in
time may affect your mental health. If you need advice, contact
Mind (0 3 0 0 1 2 3 3 3 9 3, mind.org.uk) or the Scottish Association
for Mental Health (0 3 4 4 8 0 0 0 5 5 0, samh.org.uk). You can
also use the online Mental Health and Money Advice service
(mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org).
In England and Wales, you may be able to get a Mental Health Crisis
Breathing Space. This is for people who are getting mental health
crisis treatment. It lasts for as long as your treatment and for 30 days
afterwards.
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To do
Make sure you’re claiming all the benefits you’re entitled
to. Contact our Helpline (0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9) to arrange a
free benefits check or use our online benefits calculator
(independentage.org/benefits-calculator).
For more information – including ways to manage rent
arrears – visit our debt webpages (independentage.org/
get-advice/money/debt).
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8. Grants from charities
Before you apply
Most charities will only help if you’re already receiving all the benefits
you're entitled to. Some charities won’t contribute towards the cost
ofitems or services that should be provided by your council, the NHS
oragovernment scheme.
Before you apply, make sure you do all of the following that apply
toyou:
• check if there are any benefits you can claim – use our online benefits
calculator (independentage.org/benefits-calculator) or call our
Helpline (0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9) to arrange a benefits check
• check what help you can get from your local council or the
government's Social Fund (see chapters 2–6)
• get debt advice (see chapter 7)
• if you need money towards work on your home, apply for any other
sources of funding, such as council or government grants. You
should also check whether your landlord should be paying for the
work or if home insurance will cover any damage. See our factsheet
Paying for home maintenance and repairs for more information
• if you’re applying for disability equipment, check whether your
local council can help. If they can’t, your doctor or occupational
therapist should provide details of why you need the equipment
and why it isn’t provided by your local council. See our factsheet
Adapting your home to stay independent for more information.
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What sort of help could I get from a charity?
There are many charities that provide different types of help if you can’t
get support elsewhere.
You may be able to get:
• a small one-off payment or voucher for things like food or clothes
• larger amounts for household goods, such as a cooker or washing
machine
• a one-off grant to cover an emergency or unplanned expense
• a grant towards a holiday or respite care
• disability equipment and aids
• help towards housing maintenance, repairs or removal costs
• help with travel costs.
Charities won’t pay for items that are considered luxuries, foreign
holidays, legal fees or debt. Most charities will need proof, such as
areceipt, to show that you’ve used the grant as intended.
Good to know
Some charities offer small regular weekly or monthly
grants to help with ongoing expenses. This shouldn’t
affect any benefits you are claiming, but it’s a good idea
to let your benefit office know so there won’t be any
problems with your benefit in the future.
You may be able to get small regular payments to help pay
a top-up towards your care home fees, but this is rare. See
our guide Paying care home fees in England and Wales (or
Paying care home fees in Scotland) or visit our webpage for more
information (independentage.org/get-advice/health-and-care/paying-
for-care/care-home-top-up-fees). You can also call our Helpline if you
have a question about care home fees (0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9).
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Finding the right charity to apply to
Charities, benevolent funds and trusts have specific criteria for who
they will help. Some charities will only consider applications from
certain areas of the country, or from people of particular age groups
orbackgrounds. You may have to provide quite detailed information
about yourself when you apply.
Turn2us can help you find a charity to apply to. Call them
on 0 8 0 8 8 0 2 2 0 0 0 or use their online grant search tool at
grants-search.turn2us.org.uk. You can also call our Helpline on
0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9 and arrange tospeak to an adviser.
There are often books with details of charities in the reference section
oflocal libraries too, such as the annual Guide to Grants for Individuals
in Need, published by the Directory of Social Change.
Most charities support people in financial need who have something
incommon, such as:
• a profession, trade, job or industry – or one you used to have
• a religion or faith
• membership of a society, club or trade union
• a medical condition, illness or disability
• living in or coming from a specific geographical area.
Many funds also help the dependents of the people they support, such
as partners or children.
You may not think you’re eligible for a grant, but you might be surprised
by how you could qualify. For example, vegetarians can apply to
Vegetarian for Life, retired hairdressers can apply to the Hair and Beauty
Charity and anyone who was a member of the Unite Union can apply to
their benevolent fund.
Depending on the charity you apply to, you may be asked for
information about your education, employment history, social situation
or background. If you can’t remember all the details of your work
history, you can ask H M Revenue and Customs (H M R C) for a record
(0 3 0 0 2 0 0 3 5 0 0, gov.uk/get-proof-employment-history).
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For details of organisations that may be able to support
you if you have a long-term health condition, see our guide
Living well with long-term health conditions. For example, Macmillan
Cancer Support can make small payments to help people with costs
related to living with cancer (0 8 0 8 8 0 8 0 0 0 0, macmillan.org.uk).
If you have ever served in the armed forces, including National Service,
or the Merchant Navy, you or your family may qualify for support from:
• the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association (S S A F A)
(0 8 0 0 2 6 0 6 7 6 7, ssafa.org.uk)
• the Royal British Legion (0 8 0 8 8 0 2 8 0 8 0, britishlegion.org.uk)
• the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (R A F B F) (0 3 0 0 1 0 2 1 9 1 9,
rafbf.org)
• Seafarer Support (0 8 0 0 1 2 1 4 7 6 5, seafarersupport.org).
Good to know
Most charities only have the resources to provide small
grants. If you’re trying to raise a large amount of money,
you may need to apply to several charities at the same
time. There are hundreds of charities out there, so it’s
worth doing some research.
How to apply
Each charity will have its own application process. Contact your chosen
charity to ask them how to apply.
You may have to apply through an application form or online form, or by
writing a personal letter. In some cases, you may have to apply through
an intermediary. The charity will say if this is the case. An intermediary
may be a G P, a social worker, an advice worker or an organisation,
suchas a disability charity.
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The charity may ask for evidence that you’ve been turned down for
other sources of funding, such as the local council, government
schemes or other charities that might be more suitable.
Some charities have case workers or welfare officers who will handle
your application. They may be able to help you apply to other charities,
especially if the charity can’t fund the full amount you need.
You can also get help to apply through organisations such as Turn2us
(0 8 0 8 8 0 2 2 0 0 0, turn2us.org.uk) or Citizens Advice (0 8 0 0 1 4 4 8 8 4 8
in England, 0 8 0 0 7 0 2 2 0 2 0 in Wales or 0 8 0 0 0 2 8 1 4 5 6 in Scotland;
citizensadvice.org.uk), or other advice organisations that work
with people in financial need. You can also call our Helpline on
0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9.
When to apply
Charities set their own timetables for processing applications and
awarding grants. Some charities have committees that meet to process
applications, which may mean it takes longer to get a decision. If you
need funding urgently, look for charities that process applications and
make decisions quickly.
If you're turned down, you don’t normally have any right to appeal.
Being eligible doesn’t mean you'll automatically get help. You may be
turned down due to limited funding, even though you meet the charity’s
criteria. If so, you may be able to apply again tothe same charity in the
future.
Charities don’t have to help you and, if they provide regular payments,
can review or withdraw this help at any time. However, they should write
to let you know about any changes to your payments.
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9. Food banks and other support
Food banks
Food banks provide emergency boxes of food to people in need. They
may also offer personal hygiene items, such as toilet paper, soap and
other toiletries, and pet food. Some food banks run advice sessions to
help you access other support and they may offer hot meals as well.
To get help from a food bank, you’ll need a voucher or a letter from a
professional, such as your GP, or an organisation like Citizens Advice
or Independent Age. Ask your local food bank where you can get a
voucher or referral. They should beable to put you in touch with the
organisations they work with.
Food banks are run by the charity Trussell Trust
(0 1 7 2 2 5 8 0 1 8 0, trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank)
and a number of other smaller organisations. You can
use the Independent Food Aid Network map to find them
(foodaidnetwork.org.uk/independent-food-banks-map) or contact
your local council. You could also contact the Salvation Army
(salvationarmy.org.uk/foodbanks). Your faith community may also offer
support.
Help from your council
Your local council should be able to give you information about places
that offer free food in your area, including food banks, soup kitchens,
community fridges and community hubs. You can find their contact
details in the phone book or at gov.uk/find-local-council.
You may also qualify for emergency help from your council if you're
struggling to pay for food – see chapter 2.
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10. Summary
• Make sure you’re claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to.
CallourHelpline on 0 8 0 0 3 1 9 6 7 8 9 or try our online benefits
calculator (independentage.org/benefits-calculator).
• If you’re struggling with the cost of living or need help with
unexpected expenses, you may be able to get support from local
ornational government – see chapter 2.
• You may be able to get an interest-free loan to help with essential
one-off expenses, like a cooker or washing machine, if you’re getting
certain benefits – see chapter 4.
• If you’re responsible for paying for a funeral and you’re on a low
income, you may qualify for help – seechapter 5.
• Find out if you can get help to pay your energy bills. You may qualify
for support from your energy supplier or a grant from a charity –
seechapter 6.
• Contact a free debt advice service if you’re having problems paying
back what you owe – see chapter 7.
• Many charities offer extra support if you can’t get help elsewhere.
Forhelp to find a charity or apply for a grant, see chapter 8.
While we make every reasonable eort to ensure that our information is
accurate at the time of publication, information can change over time.
Our information should not be used as a substitute for professional
advice. Independent Age does not accept any liability for any loss
however caused arising from the use of the information within this
publication. Please note that the inclusion of other organisations
doesnot constitute an endorsement from us.
The sources used to create this publication are available on request.
Contact us using the details below.
Thank you
Independent Age would like to thank those who shared their
experiences as this information was being developed, and those
who reviewed the information for us.
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To tell us what you think of our information, contact us using the details
below. We will use your feedback to help us plan future changes to our
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If you would like to be involved in helping us to develop our information
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independentage.org/readers-panel or callus.
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Contact us
Call 0800 319 6789
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