Families could get thousands of pounds in free cash for Christmas – but you need to check applications now

FOR families on low incomes or struggling financially, Christmas can be a particular source of stress.

From pressure to get gifts for partners and children to forking out for Christmas dinner, it can be hard to do the festive season on a budget.

The good news is that there are grants and charities that can help you get through it.

Charity Turn2Us says that while most charitable funds do not provide specific grants to help people meet the costs of Christmas, some may consider applications of this nature, depending on your circumstances and background.

At the same time, others might give you money to help with your day-to-day living costs, which could free up some cash for the festive season.

The amount of money available through grants depends on which ones you are eligible for. Some are created for people who work or have worked in specific professions, whilst others are aimed to help people with specific disabilities or health conditions. Others are tied to a specific location.

Grants don’t have to be paid back, and they won’t affect your benefits. Most charities offer at least £100, but some offer thousands.

For instance, the dance professionals fund has grants available between £600-£3,000 for dancers, dance teachers, and choreographers. The money can be used for cost-of-living expenses, medical fees, and even career retraining costs.

Meanwhile, B&CE’s Charitable Trust has grants available worth up to £500 for people in the construction industry. These can be used for day-to-day livings expenses, paying off debts, and even holidays.

The Salespeople charity helps anyone who has worked as a Business to Business (B2B) salesperson for 5 years within the last 10 years, visiting business customers in their premises to sell goods or services. Grants are worth £1000 or more.

Some grants are even specific to employees of certain companies. For instance, the BHS Trust Fund helps people who have worked for BHS for at least twelve months, whether they’re currently in work, between jobs or even retired.

The charity awards Christmas grants to individuals facing financial difficulties in the lead up to the festive period.  The support ranges from hampers and food shopping vouchers to toys for children. Applications open in November and run through to the first week of December and you can find out more here.

To find out what grants you might be eligible for, you can use Turn2Us’ grant search tool. If you fill in your age, any disabilities or illnesses, your profession (and your partners if you have one) and any religious affiliations, it will show you a list of grants available.

You could also use the platform Lightning Reach, which tells you the grants you might be eligible for, and helps you apply.

It also details how much the grants are worth, the eligibility criteria, and how to apply for each one.

Some grants are paid within weeks, while others take longer, so if you’re specifically concerned about the Christmas period, it makes sense to start applying as soon as possible.

Household Support Fund

You may be able to get help with essential living costs from your local council through a program called the Household Support Fund (HSF).

This program is meant to assist people who are struggling or cannot afford basic needs like energy bills, water bills, and food.

Some councils provide food vouchers to families during school holidays as part of this program.

Eligibility criteria differs from one council to another, so it’s a good idea to visit your local council’s website to find out what help is available and how to apply.

For example, Richmond Council offers grants of up to £600 for families with two or more children, while Haringey Council usually gives out vouchers of around £100 per household.

Other charities providing Christmas help

The Salvation Army

Each Christmas, the Salvation Army supports thousands of people across over 600 communities in the UK.

It says that this year, it will be providing Christmas lunches and companionship to older people living alone, giving food parcels to families who are struggling to afford a proper Christmas lunch, and distributing toys to children whose parents are unable to afford presents.

You can find your location Salvation Army using the map tool.

Crisis

Every year, Crisis at Christmas offers warmth, accommodation, healthcare, food and specialist advice. 

Last Christmas, the charity worked with over 6,600 people facing homelessness through day centres and hotels in London, and Crisis Skylight centres across Britain.

Visit the ‘Get Help’ section of the website, if you think Crisis can help you.

CashforKids

The CashForKids Mission Christmas appeal provides gifts for kids from underprivileged families.

You can’t apply directly, but referral services such as social services, GPs and teachers can do so on your behalf.

Priority is given to applications that are submitted from social services and other bodies of authority within the remit of caring for disadvantaged children.

The organisation or professional making the application is responsible for ensuring that the gifts are distributed to children who meet the eligibility criteria.

Family Fund

Family Fund works with partners in the UK to offer grants that can be used to allow families with a disabled child to go on holiday. This includes holidays over the festive period. 

The charity says applicants should include as much information as possible about the type of break you’d like as a family and the difference it will make to the child or young person you’re applying for. You can make an application here.

Schools, councils and churches

Many local schools, councils and churches run schemes to help disadvantaged families over Christmas, so it’s worth checking with any that are near you to see what’s available. 

In the run up to December, more charities will announce schemes. For instance, Lidl, Book Trust, Action for Children, and Family action have all run initiatives in the past.