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How can a benevolent charity help during the cost of living squeeze?

How can a benevolent charity help during the cost of living squeeze?

How can a benevolent charity help during the cost of living squeeze?

Monday, May 23, 2022

In this guest post, the Association of Charitable Organisations shares information about financial support available to help with daily living costs, essential items, bills and more. Find out more.

More people may be struggling financially during the cost of living squeeze due to rising costs, higher bills and increases in inflation.

A benevolent charity can provide free financial support to help with daily living costs, essential items, bills and more. 

There are hundreds of these benevolent charities in the UK helping people and their families. Some are there to help people who have ever worked in a certain job. Others help those who live in a certain region in the UK, or who have a certain health condition or disability. There are also charities to assist certain groups of people, such as older people or women.

Virtually any job you can think of has a benevolent charity to support employees past and present who fall on difficult times. 

For example – Retail workers, supermarket staff, nurses, carers, hospitality and construction workers and many many more all have their own charities which they can apply to when they face tough times.

Many benevolent charities will also offer free mental health support, wellbeing services, counselling and more to help people get back on their feet after a challenging time.

What can financial support be given for?

Benevolent charities can provide support in a huge range of circumstances, and each application for support is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Some of the most common things benevolent charities can help pay for include:

  • Daily living essentials e.g. food shopping, clothes.
  • Utility bills
  • White goods, home repairs and furniture
  • Disability equipment and home adaptions
  • School and childcare costs
  • Funeral costs
  • Respite breaks
  • Debt and insolvency fees

How can I find support?

You can visit the Turn2us Grants Search to search through over 1,500 charitable grants:
grants-search.turn2us.org.uk

You can search by age, location, profession, medical condition and other criteria to find a grant you
may be eligible to apply for.

Or contact Turn2us on their helpline: 0808 802 2000

What is the application process like?

Most charities will simply ask you to complete a short application form and submit a few pieces of evidence to show you are eligible for their support (such as bank statements).

If you need help with your application, you can always give one of their friendly team a call or email so they can help guide you on their application process.

Useful materials

You can download our Guide to Financial Support to find out more about support available from benevolent charities during the cost of living squeeze.

You can also download our poster to share with staff/volunteers if you work at an advice or referral organisation that works closely with people who might be in financial need:

Support During the Squeeze poster for organisations

Watch our video to find out how benevolent charities can support people during the cost of living squeeze.

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