Grants, loans, savings & welfare assistance schemes
5 mins read
This advice applies across the UK.
Information about charity grants you might be able to apply for, local welfare schemes and budgeting loans/advances.
In this article
Grants
Contact does not give grants or financial help.
Many charities will give grants to families in order to help with things like specialist equipment, therapies, essential items, and holidays. This can range from small local charities to large national organisations, such as The Family Fund.
Before looking into grants or funding, you might be better taking our Turn2Us benefits check to make sure you’re claiming what you’re entitled to.
Our grants search tool
Online grants search
Find out about grants and financial help by using our Turn 2Us grants search tool, below.
Our grants list
We have a summary list of charities that offer grants and funding for certain occupations, disabilities or geographical areas. Many charities do not accept applications directly from individual families and you may need a professional such as a GP, teacher or social worker to make the initial application.
Please check eligibility criteria before applying for any financial help.
- A list of charities and trusts that might give general grants to families with disabled children – these may help with household items, specialist equipment and holidays
- A list of charities and trusts that might give educational grants to families with disabled children – these may help with one-off grants for books, equipment and other student expenses
Local welfare assistance schemes
If you are on a low income and you’re struggling financially, your local council/authority might offer grants, loans or assistance in kind.
In England, the type of help available and who qualifies varies from council to council. Ask your council, or local Citizens Advice, whether there is a welfare assistance scheme in your area and how you apply. Local councils have also received funding until 2025 to support struggling households through the cost of living crisis – ask them directly for details.
In Scotland, there is a nationwide system of grants under the Scottish Welfare Fund, including crisis grants to help in an emergency. In Wales, there are emergency assistance payments towards essential costs via the Discretionary Assistance Fund. The Finance Support Service in Northern Ireland can give discretionary grants towards short term living costs.
Some energy suppliers also provide grants to customers with fuel debts.
Budgeting loans/advances
If you have been in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit for at least six months, you can apply for an interest-free budgeting loan from JobCentre Plus to meet the costs of certain essential items. Budgeting loans have been replaced by budgeting advances for those on Universal Credit.
Any help that you get from a budgeting loan or a budgeting advance needs to be repaid from your ongoing benefit payments. This will be done gradually over time.
Help with savings: Help to Save
Universal Credit claimants can open a government Help to Save savings account.
Under this scheme, savers can pay in up to £50 each month and receive 50p for every £1 they save over four years. Bear in mind that any savings you have can affect means-tested benefits.
How does it work?
You can save between £1 and £50 each calendar month. You do not have to pay money in every month.
You’ll get a 50% bonus on your highest savings amount at the end of two years. Two years later, you’ll receive another 50% bonus. This will be on the difference between the highest savings amount in years 3-4 and the highest savings amount in years 1-2.
You can make withdrawals at any time. You’ll still get the bonus on the highest amount reached in the account, rather than the amount remaining at the end of the two years.
Here’s an example:
After two years, you’ve saved £720 by paying in £30 each month. You’ll receive a bonus of £360, which is 50% of £720.
In the next two years, you bring your savings up to £1,200, then withdraw £200. At the end of year 4, there is £1,000 in your account. You’ll still get a 50% bonus on the difference between £1,200 and £720, which is £480. Your second bonus will be worth £240.
After four years, your account will close.
Find out more about Help to Save.
Help with Council Tax
You might be eligible for the Council Tax Disability Reduction Scheme or a Council Tax discount.
See more information about help with Council Tax.
Funeral and maternity grants
People on certain benefits may be eligible for a grant if they are responsible for the costs of a funeral or have recently given birth or adopted a child. Find out more about:
- Funeral Expenses Payment.
- Sure Start Maternity Grant (not in Scotland).
- Pregnancy and Baby Grant (Scotland only).
Related information
Local support & legal advice
Information about the help available in your area, from local advice organisations to parent support groups.
Read more
Social care
As a parent of a disabled child you are entitled to certain services to help.
Read more
Personal budgets and direct payments
You might have different options for how you choose, manage and pay for the care you and your family need.
Read moreGrants & financial help schemes
Grants, loans, savings & welfare assistance schemes
Financial help from Scottish local authorities
