Exceptional hardship grants for people on low incomes

Some costs are too large or too unusual for everyday budgeting: a funeral, setting up a home after leaving a refuge, equipment for a disabled child, or the aftermath of a fire or flood. For people on low incomes, borrowing to cover these events can mean years of repayments. In the UK, a wide range of one-off grants exists for exactly these situations. They do not have to be repaid, but they take some time and effort to secure.

This page explains where exceptional hardship grants come from, who tends to qualify, and how to make a strong application. If you need money within the next day or two, start with our guide to emergency financial assistance instead.

What counts as exceptional hardship

Funders generally look for a specific, one-off need linked to an event or circumstance beyond your control, rather than ongoing shortfalls in income. Typical examples include bereavement, a new baby, serious illness or disability, domestic abuse, relationship breakdown, leaving care or prison, a house fire, flood or burglary, and sudden loss of work. The grant usually pays for a defined item or bill: a cooker, a bed, removal costs, a funeral, travel to hospital, or clearing a particular arrear.

State grants linked to life events

• Sure Start Maternity Grant (England, Wales, Northern Ireland): a one-off payment towards the costs of a first baby, or in certain other cases, for families on qualifying benefits.
• Best Start Grant (Scotland): payments at pregnancy or birth, early learning and school age for families on qualifying benefits.
• Funeral Expenses Payment (or Funeral Support Payment in Scotland): help with funeral costs for people on certain benefits who are responsible for the funeral. See our page on help with funeral expenses.
• Community Care Grants (Scotland) and Individual Assistance Payments (Wales): grants, often in goods, to help people set up home or stay living independently.
• Council local welfare schemes (England) and Discretionary Support (Northern Ireland): discretionary help for significant one-off needs, depending on local rules and budgets.

Most of these have strict time limits counted from the event, such as the birth or the funeral, so apply as soon as possible.

Charity and benevolent fund grants

Thousands of charities award grants to individuals. The Turn2us grants search is the easiest way to find those matching your age, location, health, family situation, or current or former occupation. Some notable types:

• Occupational and trade funds: for people who have worked in a particular sector, from retail and hospitality to teaching, nursing, transport and the armed forces.
• Health and disability charities: for people living with specific conditions, often covering equipment, adaptations, respite or travel.
• Children's and family charities: such as Family Fund for families raising disabled or seriously ill children, and Buttle UK for children and young people in crisis.
• Local charities and community foundations: grants restricted to residents of a town, parish or county; they are less well known, so competition can be lower.
• Student hardship funds: universities and colleges hold their own funds for students in financial difficulty.

How to write a strong application

Grant funders receive far more requests than they can meet. Applications that succeed are usually clear, specific and supported by evidence.

• Explain exactly what happened and when, in a few plain sentences.
• State precisely what you are asking for, with a quote or price.
• Show your income and essential outgoings, so the funder can see you cannot pay yourself.
• Mention any other help you have applied for and the outcome.
• Describe the difference the grant would make to you or your family.
• Ask a support worker, adviser or health professional to complete or endorse the form; many charities require this.

Apply to several suitable funds at once if their rules allow, and tell each one about the others. A refusal is not personal: budgets run out, and a different fund may say yes.

Check you are not missing regular income

Funders often ask whether you claim everything you are entitled to. A benefit check through Citizens Advice or an online calculator can reveal unclaimed support, such as disability benefits, Carer's Allowance, Pension Credit or council tax reduction. Ongoing income matters more than a one-off grant, and some grants are only open to people already receiving particular benefits.

How long decisions take

Timescales vary widely. Statutory welfare funds often decide within days or a few weeks, while charities may only meet monthly or quarterly to review applications. Some charities pay the supplier directly rather than giving you cash, which can delay delivery of goods. If the need is urgent, say so clearly and explain why, for example if a child has no bed or you are about to move into an empty flat. While you wait, keep copies of everything you send, note the date, and follow up politely if you have heard nothing after the stated period. If you are refused by a statutory fund, ask for a review: decisions can be changed, especially when new evidence is provided.

If grants are not enough

When a grant covers only part of the cost, or none is available, look at low-cost borrowing before anything expensive. A Universal Credit Budgeting Advance, a credit union loan or a not-for-profit lender is usually much cheaper than high-cost credit. Compare the APR and total amount repayable, and make sure repayments fit your budget. Our guide to nonprofit loans sets out the options. If existing debts are part of the problem, get free debt advice first.

Grant scams and paid "grant finders"

Real grant funders never charge an application or processing fee. Be wary of websites or social media accounts promising guaranteed "hardship grants" for a fee, messages asking for your bank login to "release" a payment, and paid services that only reproduce free databases. If someone contacts you unexpectedly about a grant you did not apply for, it is almost certainly a scam.