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The Social Fund – an introduction

Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Who does it help?

The Social Fund is a government scheme to help people with expenses that are difficult to meet on a low income.  

Is it means-tested?

The conditions you have to meet to get money from the Social Fund depend on on your circumstances and needs.  However, as a general rule, you usually need to be getting income-related benefits like Income Support or income-related Employment and Support Allowance or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension Credit. Savings can affect some types of awards made through the Social Fund.

What help does the benefit provide?

The Social Fund may help with particular expenses that you have to pay out.  For example:

• a Sure Start Maternity Grant can help with the costs of a new-born baby. You do not have to pay this money back
• a Funeral Payment can help with the costs of a funeral for someone close to you
• Community Care Grants help with expenses like furniture, clothing and household equipment so that families can stay together.  It could buy essential items if lack of these items is causing you stress or affecting the health of your children.  These grants do not have to be paid back
• a Budgeting Loan can help pay for essential items like furniture, household equipment or clothing.  The loan has to be paid back but it is interest-free
• a Crisis Loan to help pay for things because you have had an emergency or a disaster like a fire or flood. The loan has to be paid back but it is interest-free.
• Cold Weather Payments to help with fuel costs during periods of very cold weather if you are getting certain types of benefits.
• Winter Fuel Payments made as a one-off, tax-free payment during the winter to people over 60. 

These examples are not exhaustive. See the information sheets on each benefit for full details.

This information has been produced by Citizens Advice. 

Date of publication: 5 November 2008