UK charity grants you may qualify for.

UK's single-parent charity (charity 230750). Free expert advice on UC, child maintenance, employment, housing. Some local Gingerbread groups have hardship funds.

Grants for low-income families raising a disabled or seriously ill child. Equipment, kitchen items, family breaks, sensory toys. UK-wide.

DWP statutory one-off payment for new babies if you're on certain benefits. England, Wales and Northern Ireland (NI claims go through nidirect). Apply within 6 months of birth.

Scotland equivalent of Sure Start. Bigger amounts: £796.65 first baby Pregnancy & Baby Payment + £398.35 each subsequent + £331.95 Early Learning + £331.95 School Age. The higher £796.65 rate can also be paid for a child who is not your first in some circumstances — including kinship care or adoption of an older child, and leaving home because of domestic abuse.

UK charity grants for children + young people facing crisis. Individual application. Strong for educational + welfare needs.

UK charity (FA 264713). Operates FOOD Clubs (£3.50/week for £15 of groceries) + Welfare Grants Programme for individuals.

Every English council has emergency-support funding — the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which replaced the Household Support Fund and runs to March 2029. Amounts and rules vary by council. Apply via council website. Same-day to 14-day decisions.

Most UK councils offer free or subsidised school uniform grants for low-income families. Worth checking even if not on means-tested benefits.

UK statutory grant from your council for home adaptations — stairlift, walk-in shower, ramp, downstairs bathroom. England £30k cap; Wales £36k; NI £25k. Children's grants not means-tested.

Top UK grant route for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child under 18. Equipment, breaks, kitchen appliances.

UK charity (1141253) grants for people with long-term illness or disability. Covers equipment, adaptations, beds, white goods. Application via professional referrer.

UK charity (208231) running emergency funds for disabled people + carers. Also operates UK helpline 0808 800 3333 for benefits help.

UK charity providing free specialist equipment for disabled + terminally ill children. Sensory toys, postural support, beds, communication aids.

UK charity (222377) running learning-disability support including small individual hardship grants + benefits/advocacy help. Free helpline 0808 808 1111.

UK charity providing specialist therapy + equipment + family-support packages for disabled children + young people up to 25.

Free practical + emotional support for UK families with a child who has a life-threatening or terminal illness. Practical support hours, financial help via case-workers.

If rent + Housing Benefit/UC don't quite balance, DHP can top up. Strong route if disability-related rent costs are high.

UK national carer charity (1145181) operating local Carer Centre Network. Many local Carer Centres offer small respite/wellbeing grants for unpaid carers.

UK carer charity (246329) maintains a small grants fund + free benefits/employment advice helpline 0808 808 7777.

Equipment + adaptation grants for the cared-for person which helps the carer too. Strong on items social services don't fund.

Charis Grants administer several UK energy hardship + carer-support funds (British Gas Energy Trust, EDF Customer Support Fund). Strong route if energy bills are crushing.

Grants of up to £1,500 for clearing energy debt. Open to anyone in UK financial hardship — you don't have to be a BG customer.

UK national charity for elderly + terminally ill pet owners + their pets. Volunteer dog walking, fostering, in-kind support.

Interest-free advance within 3 working days of UC claim. Repaid from later UC over 24 months. Critical bridge while you wait for first UC payment.

Operates British Gas Energy Trust, EDF Customer Support Fund. Open to anyone in UK financial difficulty — including post-redundancy.

1,400+ UK food bank centres. Refer via Citizens Advice, GP, school, council. Three-day emergency food parcel.

Most UK industries have benevolent funds for past members. Examples: The Royal Theatrical Fund (theatre), Care Workers' Charity, Construction Industry Helpline 0345 605 1956, HospitalityAction 0808 802 0282.

Runs to March 2029 in every English council. Emergency cash, vouchers, energy support. Amounts vary by council.

Not a cash grant but huge value: 12-16 weeks free training (DDaT/digital/construction/green skills) with guaranteed interview at end.

£3,500 lump sum + £350/month for 18 months if partner died before State Pension age. Apply within 21 months of death.

DWP support if you're responsible for funeral costs + on certain benefits. Covers burial/cremation + £1,000 toward other costs. England + Wales.

Scotland equivalent. £1,257.75 standard rate + burial/cremation fees. Higher rate for those on certain benefits.

UK national bereavement charity (208078). Free helpline + Hope Again for young people. Not grants but vital support.

Many UK councils have hardship-specific funds covering funeral costs, council tax discounts, water/utility help during bereavement period.

Administers British Gas Energy Trust, EDF Customer Support Fund, OVO Hardship Fund. Open to anyone in UK financial difficulty.

UK charity grants for children/young people in crisis. Application via referrer (school, social worker, charity).

UK charity (264713) running FOOD Clubs (£3.50/week for £15 groceries) + Welfare Grants Programme. Strong on practical + ongoing support.

UK's largest food bank network (Trussell) + Independent Food Aid Network. Free emergency food via referral.

Statutory UK council scheme for low-income households. Avg award £900/yr (Policy in Practice 2025). Apply at your council.

Most UK water + broadband providers offer social tariffs for low-income households. £15-£25/month broadband; capped water bill.

Runs to March 2029 in every English council. Apply for emergency support. Amounts vary by council.

NHS vouchers for food + free vitamins for pregnancy + under-4s on certain benefits. Loaded to a prepaid card.

DWP one-off payment for new babies if you're on certain benefits + usually no other children under 16 in the household. England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Exceptions let you claim even with other children — multiple birth, refugee/humanitarian protection or arrival from Afghanistan or Ukraine, or kinship care of a child who was over 12 months old when the arrangement started.

£796.65 first baby Pregnancy & Baby Payment + £398.35 each subsequent + £331.95 Early Learning + £331.95 School Age. Scotland only.

UK national childbirth + parenting charity (801395) operates limited UK crisis grants + free pregnancy/parenting support helpline 0300 330 0700.

UK charity (1128776) specialist UK maternity rights + benefits advice. Free helpline 0808 802 0029.

Statutory legal pause on debts during mental health crisis treatment + 30 days after. Apply via approved Mental Health Professional. Free.

UK mental health charity (296572) running small individual hardship grants. Free helpline SANEline 0300 304 7000.

UK mental health charity (219830) has Local Minds offering some emergency grants + ongoing support. Free Infoline 0300 123 3393.

UK charity (271028) for severe mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar). Free advice line 0808 801 0525. Legal team for Mental Health Act issues.

Many UK councils have specific mental health crisis funds via adult social care assessment under Care Act 2014.

Statutory asylum support if you're destitute + awaiting asylum decision. Includes housing (often dispersal accommodation) + cash for essentials.

UK national refugee charity (1014576). Free specialist immigration + asylum advice. Some emergency hardship grants for refugees + asylum seekers.

UK charity specialising in immigration law. Free advice clinics. Strong on family reunion + judicial review.

UK charity (220949) runs emergency packs (clothing, hygiene), small cash payments + family-tracing services for refugees + asylum seekers.

UK movement with 100+ Cities of Sanctuary. Local hubs offer English classes, food, social activities + signposting to local resources.

UK charity running emergency item donations + funding for grassroots refugee groups. Strong on warm clothing during winter.

Every UK council must offer Setting Up Home Allowance for care leavers moving to independent accommodation. Statutory under Children Act + extension to 25.

~120 UK councils now offer 100% Council Tax exemption for care leavers up to age 25. Worth checking your council.

Strong for care leavers + care-experienced young people. Educational equipment, household items, transition costs.

UK charity (1106920) specifically for care leavers age 16-29 facing crisis. Small individual grants.

UK Higher Education Bursary for care leavers entering HE. Paid by local authority. Plus universities have additional bursaries.