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Financial help from charities and trusts
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Updated 28/07/05
We receive many enquiries about practical financial support but, unfortunately, we do not have funds to make grants and cannot offer direct financial help. There are a number of charities or trust funds that may be able to provide discretionary financial help - this is called non-statutory funding. Some trusts provide very small grants, and others can help with major expenses.
This article will help you to find out if there are any sources of funding that may fit your circumstances and to prepare an application for financial help.
First steps
Firstly, make sure that you are receiving any benefits, tax credits, child maintenance and any other financial help that you may be entitled to - many funders will not consider your application for help unless you can show that other sources of funding are unavailable to you. See our helpdesk for information about different sources of financial help. A specialist welfare rights adviser can also tell you if you are receiving all the help you should. See www.citizensadvice.org.uk to find out where your local Citizen's Advice Bureau is. If you have got into difficulties with debt, it can be helpful to show the charity what arrangements you have made to manage your debt.
Searching for suitable charities
You can search on the Association of Charity Officers website or check A Guide to Grants for Individuals in Need 2005/2006 in your local library
When searching for charities that fit your situation, put yourself and your reasons for financial difficulty, into as many different categories as possible, to help you find the appropriate charities for you and your needs. The categories for your circumstances might include: - your occupation, as well as your parents' or ex-spouse's occupation;
- whether you or your ex-spouse or late spouse, or parent, served in the armed forces;
- whether you or anyone in your family have an illness or a disability;
- whether you are looking for help for the extra expenses of being a student;
- whether you are looking for help with your children's educational expenses;
- whether you are looking for help for general living costs or a particular essential expense; or
- the area you live in.
Each trust or charity is very specific about who it can help. Check their information carefully; some have several requirements that you must meet. Do not apply to a trust that clearly states that you are not eligible!
If you are not sure, phone them up or write a letter to ask for an application form or ask if your application would be suitable. At the same time ask them about dates by when they need to receive applications and when they make decisions.
Educational charities
For financial help for your studies or for your children's education, you should ask your college or the children's school if they have any financial support available.
Also see the Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) website to search for suitable charities or see the Educational Grants Directory 2004/2005 in your local library.
Educational charities are not only classified according to your or your child's particular circumstances and needs (for example, ethnic or religious background, or being a family in need), but also the subject you wish to study. Another important issue is which part of the country you live in.
Making an application to a charity
The charity's application form will ask you to explain your circumstances in as much detail as possible: your name, address, place and date of birth; your family circumstances; your financial situation - that is your weekly income and expenditure and how much savings you have; and any other relevant information such as how the financial need has come about. If you are in debt, you should show what arrangements you have made to manage and clear the debt.
If there is no application form and you are writing a letter to ask for financial help, include all of this information as clearly as you can. If you have already tried to get help elsewhere and have been refused, or it wasn't enough, tell them about this.
Be clear about how much financial help you need in total, and how much you are asking this charity for. If you are applying to other charities to make up your total need, you should say so and list them, and say that if you receive more help than you need you will return the extra.
A grant for an essential item could be, for example, to help pay for a washing machine or for some other domestic emergency.
Grants for children are likely to be made where the family has severe financial need and the children are missing out on books or school outings, or have potential but are unable to participate in particular extra-curricular activities, and for those with disabilities or with learning difficulties.
Grants for students may be for childcare costs, books, equipment and materials, or for fees.
Be realistic, clear and factual, and emphasise how a grant will improve your circumstances.
Help with making your application to a charity
Applying for grants from charities can be very daunting, especially if you are unfamiliar with the process. You may need the help of a social worker, an adviser at Citizens Advice, or the student welfare officer in your college. These advisers would also be able to refer you to special financial help from your local authority if your children are in severe financial need and there is no other source of financial support for you.
Many charities will not accept unsupported applications from individuals - they require a supporting letter from a relevant professional who knows you and your circumstances, such as a health visitor, social worker, family doctor or college welfare officer, before they will consider your application.
If you ask an organisation for help in your search for suitable charities, you will have to give them detailed information about yourself and your need so that they feel able to support you and can match you with as many suitable charities as possible.
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