A brief guide to the main sources of help, including benefits, loans, grants and the Social Fund.

This explains that the Social Fund is for people on low incomes, and can give grants or loans to help obtain important essential things, like heating costs, funerals, household items, clothing & footware, urgent safety costs.

Information about the short term support that the British Red Cross can help with, I.e. care in the home, medical equipment loans, transport & escort assistance, therapeutic massage, and skin camouflage treatment.

Information about the funding & equipment sources for older & disabled people. It covers benefits, statutory equipment provision & grants, funding from charities & grant giving trusts; specific sources of funding, and short term equipment hire/loans.

The Social Fund is a scheme to help people with expenses that are difficult to meet from a low income. It covers Funeral Payments, Cold Weather Payments, Winter Fuel Payments and Sure Start Maternity Grants. Advances of Benefit are a form of payment on

This information sheet explains what Credit Unions are, how they operate, and the legislation governing them.

If you’re on a low income and have to meet the cost of unplanned expenses, you may be eligible for a payment from the Social Fund or your local council to help. This factsheet explains what you may be eligible for, how payments are made and how to complai