A range of benefits calculators are available via the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Universal Credit: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly.

You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income or out of work.

Employment Support Allowance: https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance

You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work (NB. Now payable from day 1 of sickness absence in response to Covid-19).

ESA gives you:

money to help with living costs if you’re unable to work

support to get back into work if you’re able to

You can apply for ESA if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed.

Department of Education

You may be able to get up to 30 hours free childcare (1,140 hours per year, which you can choose how you take) if your child is 3 to 4 years old. Please note current eligibility requirements during COVID-19 period.

For more information: https://www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare

Financial coronavirus advice and support: https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/coronavirus-advice-and-support/help-and-advice.aspx

Tools which might be useful in helping you to manage money in the coming weeks and months during Covid-19 pandemic: https://www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/coronavirus-online-spending-tools/

A page full of resources to access guidance and support more generally: https://www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/get-help/

Money Saving Expert page outlining coronavirus financial help and rights: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/

Cavell Nurses Trust

Cavell Nurses Trust is charity that supports UK nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, both working and retired, when they’re suffering personal or financial hardship often due to illness, disability, older age and domestic abuse. One way Cavell Nurses trust provides this support through one-off grants to relieve financial hardship and rapid emergency funding for those at great risk.

For more details: www.cavellnursestrust.org

UNISON

UNISON provides a one-off grant of £250 to help with essential expenses such as food and bills, general living costs, household appliances, urgent repairs, disability equipment and adaptations, utility bills and funeral costs. To be eligible to apply for financial assistance, you must have been a member of UNISON for at least four weeks and up to date with your subscriptions.

For more details: https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/services-support/there-for-you/financial-assistance/#:~:text=COVID%2D19%20Response%20Fund&text=There%20for%20You%20has%20set,such%20as%20food%20and%20bills.

The Care Workers’ Charity

This charity has two grants; Crisis grants – live and in use throughout the year exclusive to health care workers. COVID-19 Emergency Fund grant which covers the following grants related to self-isolation, funeral costs or other unexpected costs. This extends to additional roles such as Cooks/Kitchen Assistants, Housekeepers or Domestic Workers, Maintenance staff, Drivers and Admin staff (Team Leaders/Supervisors and Personal Assistants)

For more details:  https://www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk/covid-19-emergency-fund/

Imperial Charity

Imperial charity holds a Dresden Hardship Grant – A year-round grant for many people, being admitted to hospital or receiving hospital treatment can trigger sudden and serious financial pressures. In light of the fast-changing COVID-19 situation, we have also decided to temporarily expand the criteria of the Dresden Hardship grants and simplify some related processes.

Link: https://www.imperialcharity.org.uk/grants/dresden-hardship-grants

CSiS Charity Fund – Helping Public Service Communities

CSIS Charity Fund is a small, highly focused organisation with the welfare of serving, retired and former civil and public servants. Individuals can apply for assistance/ funding when they are struggling with problems arising from job loss, disabilities, low incomes, caring responsibilities and other factors including stress at work, marital breakup and debt.

For more details: http://www.csischarityfund.org/our-aims-and-work.htm

The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC)

TASC is the leading UK charity providing support to all present and past ambulance staff and their families in time of need, both in the NHS and independent sector. Our services are independent and confidential and include psychological rehabilitation and counselling, including stress and PTSD support; physical rehabilitation; financial grants; debt advice; welfare and other support; and bereavement support.

For more details: www.theasc.org.uk

Turn2us

Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face through partner organisations. Their web site includes a benefits calculator, a grants search database, information and interactive tools providing a wide range of subjects on welfare benefits, charitable grants and managing money.

For more details: www.turn2us.org.uk

Social Workers Benevolent Fund (SWBT)

The small charity offers a one off, limited financial help to social workers – including retired social workers – and their dependents in times of hardship, for example when experiencing sickness, bereavement, family difficulties or sudden catastrophe.

For more details: www.swbt.org  

The Charity for Civil Servants

The Charity for Civil Servants (formerly The Civil Service Benevolent Fund) supports all civil servants, past and present, throughout their lives, with whatever problems they may have.

For more information: www.foryoubyyou.org.uk

The NHS Credit Union provides financial support to members across Scotland and the north of England: https://www.nhscreditunion.com/

Many NHS organisations have Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) in place for all of their staff. Many of these services include a level of debt management advice and support for staff. Please liaise with local Human Resources/People and/or Finance functions if you are unsure whether you have access to an EAP or how to access it.

The National Zakat Foundation provides an online platform that lets you calculate, give and choose where your Zakat goes, and a national network that gives Zakat to those who need it: https://nzf.org.uk/

Some Home Insurance policies include a level of financial debt advice. Please review your policy or contact your provider to find out if your insurance includes this.