Who can apply for help from a grant-giving charity?
Each grant-giving charity listed on the Turn2us website will
have its own qualifying rules. Although you usually have to be in
financial need, this does not mean you have to be destitute. Most
grant-giving charities would follow the Charity Commission's (link
opens in a new window) or the Office of the Scottish Charity
Regulator's (link opens in a new window) guidelines that
you are in financial need if you do not have ‘access to the normal
things of life that most people take for granted’, such as adequate
housing, heating, food and clothing.
The reasons why people experience financial hardship are
complex.
Stressful life situations, such as bereavement, job loss, family
breakdown, ill health, disability and caring for someone, are often
significant factors, especially if these changes mean someone is no
longer able to work.
The mounting costs of living and the effects of the UK’s current
economic situation have also had enormous effects on personal
finances, causing many people to struggle to make ends meet.
Although many people who qualify for grants will be getting
welfare benefits, you do not have to be getting them to receive
help from a grant-giving charity. Nor do you have to be out
of work. Grant-giving charities also help individuals who do not
qualify for welfare benefits or who are working if they need
support because of life changes, such as job loss, bereavement,
illness, disability and family breakdown.
Grant-giving charities are bound by law to ensure that you are
receiving all the welfare benefits to which you may be entitled
before they can help you. They will ask you to check this if you
are unsure. You can do this using the Turn2us Benefits
Checker.
If you are on welfare benefits, these will not be affected by
any grants that you get from a grant-giving charity.
If you receive help from a grant-giving charity and need further
support at a later date, you may be able to apply to the same
organisation more than once – it depends on their rules. For
instance, if you qualify for a regular grant from an organisation,
they may also be willing to help with a one-off grant to buy a
particular piece of equipment or furniture you need. However, most
grant-giving charities will only give one-off grants to a
particular individual once a year.
If you are unsure whether you qualify for help from a
grant-giving charity, use the Turn2us Grants
Search to identify any that you think may be able to help you
and send them an enquiry.
What are grants?
What support is available?
How to search for a grant
Help to apply
Grants search page
Last updated: 15 June 2010
Turn2us - to access benefits & grants.