Appendix A
Other grants/funds/schemes for consideration in the award of an ELF grant
Ex prisoners
The Prison Service is responsible for ensuring a discharged prisoner has suitable and adequate clothing (Prison Services Manual V). This is for both convicted prisoners upon release and prisoners held on remand (if their own is not fit to wear). It is therefore recommended that the Decision Maker checks with the prison/probation services if the application is for clothing. Minimum Standards: The standard includes a change of clothing, typically comprising essential items like trousers/skirt, shirt/top, underwear, socks, and shoes. All prisoners, regardless of their eligibility for a cash subsistence payment, are provided with a travel warrant or payment of fares to their destination in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or the Republic of Ireland upon release to get them back home. In England and Wales, prison leavers who have served at least two weeks, are over 18, and are unemployed generally receive a one-off £82.39 subsistence payment (formerly discharge grant) upon release to cover immediate needs. This is in addition to a travel warrant or ticket to their destination.
The Family Fund
This provides discretionary grants for families caring for a severely disabled child or children aged 17 or under. It is an independent Government funded organisation registered as a charity. www.familyfund.org.uk
Items for severely disabled children that are the responsibility of a statutory agency such as the health authority, local government, social services, housing or education department. This would include;
- medical services such as equipment and continence supplies including nappies, buggies and wheelchairs - responsibility of health trusts or authorities
- equipment for daily living such as ramps, hoists and bath aids - responsibility of social services
- education equipment - responsibility of Children and Learning Department
Details of help available for people with disabled children can be found on the Scope website.
Benevolent Funds and other Grants
As cited by websites such as Turn to US
Maternity Expenses
As covered by the Sure Start Maternity Grant which is designed to pay for the immediate needs of a new baby. The grant is for £500. For more see the GOV.UK website
Basic rule: If they have no other children under 16 and are in receipt of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Support for Mortgage Interest loan.
If they have other children under 16 could qualify if expecting a multiple birth or the children caring for is someone else's child or they have refugee status, humanitarian protection or have come to the UK from Afghanistan or Ukraine
Funeral Expenses
As covered by the Government Funeral Payment. Basic rule: They are in receipt of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or Support for Mortgage Interest loan AND they are the partner of the deceased/the parent of a baby stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy/parent of a deceased child under 16 (or 20 in approved training or education).
Can get help with cost of burial fees, cremation fees, travel to arrange or go to the funeral, cost of moving the body, death certificates or other documents plus a further £1000 for any other expense such as flowers, coffin, director's fees. www.gov.uk/funeral-payments
Disabled Facilities Grant
Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are grants that must be available to people with a disability. These grants help make changes to homes so that people can live there safely, comfortably, and as independently and healthily as possible. They can be used to fund adaptations to the home. For example: stair-lifts, showers and wet rooms, wash and dry toilets, ramps and wider doorways, home extensions, better access to gardens, heating systems and insulation, telecare and assistive technology. The maximum grant amount is £30,000. A financial assessment is done but note people on Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Guarantee Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit do not need to pay towards the grant, find out more on our Housing assistance, adaptions and Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) guidance page
Rent and Deposit Scheme
The Council offers a Rent and Deposit Scheme to individuals who have an active homeless application and have been referred to it by their Housing Officer. It can cover their first months rent in advance and a deposit Repayment to the Council is set up on a 3 year interest free loan repayment offer. Find out more on our Rent and Deposit Scheme page
DWP Cold Weather or Winter Fuel Payments
If in receipt of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Support for Mortgage Interest loan will get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026
Winter Fuel Payments: A payment for pensioner to help towards winter fuel costs. Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically. NOTE: If their income is over £35,000, HMRC will take the Winter Fuel Payment back. Payment is between £100 and £300
Budgeting Loans and Advances from the DWP
Budgeting Loan: Can apply if getting one or more of these benefits for the past 6 months: Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit (NOTE If moved from Universal Credit to Pension Credit, any time spent claiming Universal Credit will count towards the 6 months). Could be for help with furniture, white goods, clothes, rent in advance, costs of moving home, travel for example. Can borrow between £100 and £812 depending on circumstances. Can apply online or with form SF500. For more see www.gov.uk/budgeting-help-benefits/eligibility
Budgeting Advances: If receiving Universal Credit and need help paying for a one-off cost, could get a Budgeting Advance payment. Could be for help with furniture, white goods, clothes, rent deposit, costs of moving home, travel for example. Can borrow between £100 and £812 depending on circumstances. Can apply by updating their journal, ask their work coach, or calling the UC helpline. For more see www.gov.uk/universal-credit-advance-hardship-payment/unexpected-costs
Universal Credit Benefit Advance. This is an advance of some of a claimants benefit made where they declare a financial need which may result in a serious damage to their health and/or welfare of them or their family, either at the start of a new claim or when a change means their benefit will significantly increase. www.gov.uk/universal-credit-advance-hardship-payment/first-payment
NHS Healthy Start Scheme
This provides vouchers to buy healthy foods such as milk or fruit and get free vitamins. It is for people who are pregnant or have a child under 4 if they are in receipt certain means tested benefits (Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Universal Credit), or take home pay under £408 per month www.gov.uk/healthy-start
NHS Low Income Scheme
If a person has a low income they may be able to get help with the costs of prescriptions, dentists, eye care, healthcare travel, wigs and fabric supports through this scheme. They must have savings under £16,000 and can get full or partial help depending on their income level. Note: If on Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Universal Credit they do not need to apply as automatically entitled. You can apply online or by post - full details on www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/
Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card
For more information, it is recommended to speak directly with your Jobcentre Plus work coach.
Discounts: 50% off Anytime, Off-Peak, and Advance rail fares, plus 50% off London bus and tram fares.
Eligibility: Generally for Job Seekers Allowance or Universal Credit claimants (aged 18-24, 3-9 months unemployed; 25+, 3-12 months unemployed)
Duration: The card expires after 3 to 6 months, though re-application is possible if criteria are still met.
Application: You must apply through your local Jobcentre Plus, usually via your work coach.
Free Rail Ticket Scheme (JobStart)
Partnership between railway lines and Jobcentre for jobseekers and job starters.c2c Jobstart (Essex/London). Provides free travel for interviews and up to two months of free commuting for new jobs for those referred by a Jobcentre.Greater Anglia Job Track: Offers up to six free day return tickets for interviews, with potential support for the first two months of a new job.
Jobcentre Flexible Support Fund
A discretionary fund where a person can claim to help with jobsearching. Individuals must be receiving benefits (e.g., Jobseeker's Allowance, Universal Credit) and working with a Jobcentre Plus coach. It could help with the cost of work clothes/uniforms, tools, travel expenses for interviews, and childcare costs (up to 3 assessment periods) as well as laptops, tablets, or phone data packages to help with job searching, training, or virtual interviews