Money Matters
Social Fund
The social fund is a government fund that makes payments to people in need:
- Regulated social Fund
- Maternity grants
- Funeral payments
- cold weather payments
- Winter fuel payments - Discretionary social fund:
- Community care grants
- Budgeting loans
- Crisis loans.
To qualify for a community care grant or budgeting loan you have to be getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension Credit and meet the criteria set by the local Social Security or Jobcentre Plus office. You can also claim help with fares to visit someone in hospital or in residential care.
If your application for a grant is refused, you can apply for a budgeting loan (see next).
Budgeting Loans
Budgeting loans are available to people who have been getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension Credit for at least 26 weeks. Repayment of the loan is normally through deductions from your weekly benefit and the Social Security or Jobcentre Plus office will decide how much you are able to repay.
Crisis loans are only given to meet short-term needs in an emergency or after a disaster. You do not have to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit but you must have no savings and not have access to any other funds.
The Social Fund can also help you with other expenses such as funeral costs, Sure Start maternity grants and cold weather payments.