Social Fund
Social Fund is a fund to assist in meeting unexpected or exceptional expenditures.
Maternity Grants/Funeral Grants - are available to those in receipt of certain qualifying benefits and assist in meeting the costs of providing for a newborn child or the funeral of a relative.
Cold Weather and Winter Fuel payments - These assist with meeting increased fuel costs during the winter period. Winter Fuel payments are only available to those over 60 whilst the Cold Weather payments are only payable during prolonged cold periods and to those in receipt of qualifying benefits.
Community Care Grants - are available to those in receipt of a qualifying benefit (e.g. Income Support, Pension Credit) who are leaving care, at risk of going into care or qualify as a family under exceptional pressure. Grants are usually awarded for household items such as cookers, beds, furnishings etc.
Budgeting Loans - are available for those in receipt of Income Support, Pension Credit or Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance and are intented to assist with the cost of furniture, clothing, certain travelling expenses etc.
Crisis Loans - are open to anyone over the age of 16 to apply but the loan must be needed because of an emergency or disaster.
Awards of Community Care Grants, Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans are at the discretion of the DWP but where claims are refused, there is a procedure for requesting reviews of the decision.