Grants and hardship funds

Use the directory of grants to search for grants based on your circumstances.

You can:

• search by age, location and needs
• find details on how to apply
• check current and past employment, and use the ‘Filter your results’ option – some grants are linked to applicants’ previous jobs

Visit the Turn2us grant finder.

SSAFA provides practical, financial and emotional support for serving and former armed forces personnel and their families.

To apply, complete the online enquiry form on the SSAAFA website or call them on 0800 731 4880 or 07413 417 226.

The Royal British Legion provides practical, financial and emotional support for members of the armed forces community and their families.

To apply, call them for details of the local welfare representative. Visit the British Legion website or call them on 0808 802 8080.

Naval Children’s Charity supports children of people who served in the Royal Navy, Women’s Royal Naval Service or Royal Marines.

Children are eligible for support up to the age of 25. Visit the Naval Children’s Charity website or call them on 023 9263 9534.

Grants for essential items for families with a child with a disability or serious illness

To apply, download the Family Fund application form. Maximum 1 application per household per year. Family must be eligible for public funds to apply.

Visit the Family Fund website.

Grants for children living in hardship for essential items, such as furniture or white goods:

• family must be in financial hardship and have additional social welfare needs, and have an advice or support worker to apply on their behalf
• online Applications can only be made by a statutory or voluntary agency who can administer the grant on behalf of Buttle
• grants are usually up to £300
• items are normally purchased by Buttle and delivered to home address, but other awards will be paid by cheque to referring agency

Visit the Buttle website.

The fund provides essential items for children and young people.

Applications can only be made by a statutory or voluntary agency who complete a simple online registration form. People often ask for things like fridges, beds, clothes, and baby stuff, but they can consider anything essential.

Grants for people receiving community nurse treatment, or with other significant health issues. You can get up to £550 for things like household items, medical gear, special clothes, and respite care.

Applications must be made by community nursing staff. Email pvnacharity@gmail.com to request an application form.

One-off grants for older people to replace essential items, such as furniture, white goods and flooring

• you must be over state pension age
• applications must be made by a support worker
• awards will be paid by cheque to the referring agency

Download the application form on the Friends of the Elderly website.

Crisis fund for people at risk of street homelessness, or resettling after being homeless:

• for costs such as rent deposits, rent arrears – to access housing or to prevent eviction
• average grant around £200 (up to £350)
• applications must be made online by a support agency for the person in need

Visit the Frontline Network website for more details.

Grants for utility bill arrears, for customers of any energy company:

• you must have had money advice and be in arrears due to serious illness or a life event
• you can apply online or print out the form, complete it and post it

Visit the British Gas Energy Trust website for more details.

Support for Southern Water customers in financial difficulty:

• one-off bill reduction (up to 50%)
• debt write-off (up to £2,000)
• grant for specific home improvements, including white goods and repairs (up to £1,000)

To qualify, you must be in significant financial hardship, or challenging personal circumstances that have a financial impact. You can apply online.

Many unions have welfare schemes for their members. If you belong to a trade union, contact your union to find out what support is available.