Here are some places to look and apply for grants across the country.
What are grants?
- Grants can help you with a number of things that you are struggling to pay for.
- They are often provided by councils or charitable organisations.
- You will not have to pay back grants.
Areas that grants can cover:
- Educational costs:
- Energy costs:
- Gas and electricity bills.
- Gas bottles.
- Essential household items:
- Food.
- Fridge/freezer.
- Cooker.
- Washing machine/dryer.
- Beds.
- Carpets.
- Personal items:
- Clothing.
- Electronic devices:
- Tablets or laptops for educational purposes.
- Larger types of grants:
- Community grants to help fund local community projects.
- Business grants to help people start or fund their business.Â
Reasons you might apply for a grant
- Financial struggles
- You might be on benefits.
- These types of grants can sometimes be means tested.
- This means that your earnings and savings will determine whether you can get the grant.
- You could be homeless and need money to pay for food or for rent.
- Food banks can help provide you with emergency food if you have a referral from an organisation.
- You could be struggling to pay for your energy bills or essential household items for you and your family.
- Special Educational Needs (SEN)
- You have been diagnosed or have a child diagnosed with:
- Special educational needs.
- Conditions such as Autism and ADHD.
- Mobility or sensory problems.
- Need help paying for your child's:
- Tutoring.
- Transport.
- Equipment.
- You have been diagnosed or have a child diagnosed with:
- Disability or careÂ
- You could have a life altering or life ending condition.
- A disease or disability that prevents you from doing things easily.
- A terminal illness.
- You are in need of care:
- Grants may be available to caregivers.
- You could have a life altering or life ending condition.
- Community need
- Charities and voluntary groups might apply for grants to support:
- Those suffering with their mental health.
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- Funding counselling and other activities.
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- Marginalised communities.
- Kids clubs or after-school clubs.
- Those suffering with their mental health.
- Local councils might use grants to help with:
- Community centres.
- Public facilities:
- Local libraries.
- Sports centres.
- Support for vulnerable groups:
- Low-income families:
- Food programmes.
- School meal support.
- Low-income families:
- Elderly people:
- Home care assistance.
- Social activities for older adults.
- Disabled people:
- Making public spaces accessible.
- Housing and transport:
- Developing housing projects for low-income or at-risk residents.
- Supporting projects for better public transport and road maintenance.
- Charities and voluntary groups might apply for grants to support:
If you are interested in what community grants might be available then contact your local council.
Who can I ask about grants?
- Ask about grants here:Â
- Your local Citizens Advice.
- Your local authority.
- Ask about the Household Support Fund, which may provide vouchers.
- Apply for the Discretionary Housing Payment to help with housing payments.
- If you need money to pay for fuel, ask about fuel vouchers.
- Turn2Us
- They have a grant search.
- They will ask you questions about your situation and take you to the most appropriate grant.
Do I need a referral?
- Grants you can refer yourself for:
- Lightning Reach
- Apply for help with grants or energy bills.
- St Vincent de Paul Society
- They help with shopping and many other small acts of kindness that make a difference.
- Lightning Reach
- Grants you will need a referral from an organisation for:
- Trussell Trust food banks:
- You can find your nearest food bank using the link.
- Most require a referral from another organisation, but some may not.]
- BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme
- Can help with essential household items for children and families.
- Use our services directory to find other advice agencies and charities.
- They might be able to suggest grant providers and refer you.
- Trussell Trust food banks:
Are you disabled or have a health condition?
- Grants for people with disabilities or illness:
- Disabled Facilities Grants
- Help fund making adjustments to your home such as:
- Installing ramps or grab rails.
- Make it easier to get and out of rooms and facilities, e.g. a stairlift.
- Building an extension, e.g. a downstairs bedroom.
- Help fund making adjustments to your home such as:
- Family Fund
- Offer grants for families:
- Raising a child or young person with a long-term disability, disabling condition or life-limiting illness.
- And living on a low income.
-
- Offer grants for many things, including:
- Play equipment.
- Days out.
- Computers and laptops.
- Toys and games consoles
- Kitchen appliances.
- Offer grants for many things, including:
- Offer grants for families:
- Macmillan grants
- You can apply if you are:
- 18 or over.
- Have a cancer diagnosis.
- Low enough income and savings.
- They offer £200 grants, which can go towards:
- Energy bills.
- Home adaptions.
- Cost of travel to and from hospital.
- You can apply by:
- Phone on 0808 808 00 00.
- Ask a medical professional to apply for you.
- You can apply if you are:
- Disabled Facilities Grants
Ways you can apply:
- You will first have to find a grant or be referred for one.
- If you are making the referral yourself you will usually have to fill out an application, including:
- Your details.
- Reasons you need the grant.
- Supporting evidence, such as medical records and financial statements.
- If you are getting help from an organisation or professional you will need to share details and evidence with them.
- They may need to ask you for very personal details.
- They also might need your written consent.
- If you need help finding a grant to apply for you can:
- Look at your local council's website to find a grant to apply for.
- They might be able to help you fill in an application.
- Use the Citizen's Advice or Turn2Us website to find an online application.
- Go into your local Citizen's Advice to ask for help filling in a grant application.
- Sometimes your local library might help you fill in a form.
- Look at your local council's website to find a grant to apply for.
Tips for making a good application
- Check that you are definitely eligible.
- Provide as much evidence as possible.
- Be clear and honest in your answers.
- Ask someone for help if needed.
- Submit before the deadline.
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If you are having difficulties, please contact the Friends, Families and Travellers helpline on 01273 234 777. We are open:
- Monday to Friday
- From 10.00am to 4.30pm
- Closed on Bank Holidays