Get the lowdown on grants
What’s available?
Many people are unaware that charitable funds are available to help those struggling with their finances – and yet a wide range of grants are up for grabs, for individuals in many different circumstances. Support may be given in the form of money, goods or services, and doesn’t need to be paid back.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible, you must primarily be in financial difficulty or on a low income – and then the additional criteria vary from fund to fund.
Using a search tool, you can find grants that might fit your circumstances. Criteria range from having a certain disability or illness, belonging to a particular age group or gender, or living in a specific area of a country. Some grants are also aimed at people working, or who have worked, in particular industries and professions. And often, partners and dependents of those meeting the criteria can also be eligible for the grant.
A tip from Turn2Us: “It's worth doing a search for yourself, your partner or the child/adult you're caring for - you may get different results for each search.”
How do I search for a grant?
In order to search for an appropriate grant, use the search tool on a website such as https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/ - complete some basic information about yourself (or the person you are applying for) in the first section, and then add filters such as your / their occupation, religion, nationality or health issues in the second section if you want to specify further.
You can also call the Turn2Us helpline if you don't have access to the internet or find it hard to go online, so that an advisor can search for grants on your behalf - their number is 0808 802 2000, and they’re open between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
What information will I need to provide?
If you find a grant you are eligible for, you may need to submit some information about your circumstances to make the application, which could include:
your work history & proof of occupation
details of your income (including benefits, employment earnings, Tax Credits, pensions etc)
details of your savings and any investments (you may need to provide bank statements)
details of your rent or mortgage payments
and information on your Council Tax Bill – how much it is and whether you get any help paying it.
What’s an intermediary?
An intermediary is a support worker or other professional or volunteer working with you who can apply on your behalf for a grant. Some charities specify that they will only accept grants from these ‘intermediaries’ rather than from the person needing the grant themselves.
Examples of intermediaries include:
Health and social care professionals, such as nurses, GPs, therapists and social workers.
Advisers from Citizens Advice and other advice organisations
Local charity offices, such as Age UK, Mind, or disability groups
Staff and volunteers from charities working with people in financial need
Someone who speaks on your behalf (advocate or representative) - for example advocates for people with learning disabilities
Teachers
The details on the charity’s website will explain if they only accept grant applications from intermediaries, and should give more details of who that can be. If you do not have someone such as those listed above working with you to provide support, you can ask the charity awarding the grant if they are able to help you find someone to apply on your behalf.
Turn2Us also has a Find an Adviser tool which can help you find an intermediary if you need one.
