One-off Grants & Loans
The Social Fund
The Department for Work and Pensions can make one off payments to help with certain expenses. There are two types of payment: ‘regulated’ and ‘discretionary’. You must apply on the right form for each type of payment - available from the Social Security Office or an advice centre.
‘Regulated’ Social Fund
There are three types of payments that apply to young people - Sure Start Maternity Grants, Funeral Grants and Cold Weather Grants. You only need to apply for the first two, the other is paid automatically by the Department for Work and Pensions if you are entitled.
Funeral Grants
These are to help with the costs of arranging a funeral. You must get Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Housing Benefit/LHA or Council Tax Benefit to be entitled. Some people who receive Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit may be able to apply. There are also other rules - check with the Department for Work and Pensions or an advice centre.
‘Discretionary’ Social Fund
There are three types of payment - Community Care Grants, Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans. You do not have an automatic right to receive a payment.
Community Care Grants
These are to help people pay for essential items or services that make it possible for them to live independently in the community rather than go into a care home, hospital or somewhere similar. They are grants so you do not have to repay them. You must already get Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance and apply to the local Job Centre Plus.
Budgeting Loans
These are loans which must be repaid from your benefit and you must have been on Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance for at least 26 weeks to apply. Budgeting Loans can help with furniture and household equipment, clothing and footwear, rent in advance, home improvement/security, travelling costs and job seeking costs. Apply to your local Job Centre Plus.
Note: always consider applying for a Community Care Grant rather than a Budgeting Loan - get advice.
Cold Weather Payments
These are made to some people getting Income Support or increase-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, and to all people getting Pension Credit to help towards extra heating costs when there is a spell of very cold weather in the area where they live.
Crisis Loans (For over 16’s)
These are loans which must be repaid but you do not have to be on any benefit to apply. Crisis loans are to meet essential, short term expenses caused by a disaster or emergency and there is no other way to prevent serious risk to your health and safety.
If you feel a wrong decision has been made or that you have been refused benefits you can normally appeal. Get advice!
