Financial help for families on a low income :Cross Stitch – Parents

If you are on a low income you may be able to get financial help, depending on your circumstances.

A Community Care Grant can help with the cost of living independently in the community, or ease exceptional pressure on you and your family. The grant can be from £30 up to £1,000 and you don’t have to pay it back.

You could be eligible for example if you’re moving out of care to live independently. Or you might need help to stay in your home and not go in to care or hospital.

You’ll normally need to be getting certain benefits, or due to start getting benefit.

Ask at your local Jobcentre Plus for a claim form and more information.

Budgeting loans are interest-free (from £30 up to £1,000 in total) for the cost of things other than regular expenses. A budgeting loan could help you pay for things such as furniture, household equipment, clothes, or things to help you look for or start work.

To be eligible you or your partner must have been getting certain benefits for at least 26 weeks.

Ask at your local Jobcentre Plus for a claim form and more information.

Crisis Loans are interest-free and can help if there is a serious risk to the health and safety of you or your family following an emergency or disaster. You do not need to be getting any benefits but you must be over the age of 16. Whether you can get a Crisis Loan will depend on your particular circumstances.

Ask at your local Jobcentre Plus for a claim form and more information.

Tax credits are payments from the government. If you’re responsible for at least one child or young person who normally lives with you, you may qualify for Child Tax Credit. If you work, but are on a low income, you may qualify for Working Tax Credit.

The amount of tax credits you get depends on your circumstances and your income. The lower your income, the more tax credits you can get.