Applications will only be accepted where they are made on an individual’s behalf by a third party social organisation (e.g. charity, public body, social landlord, etc.) with a supporting statement from that organisation.
The Hardship Fund provides grants of up to £2,000 per annum, but only in exceptional circumstances will individual grants exceed £500.
Applications are assessed every six weeks and you can expect a response within eight weeks of your application.
1. Eligibility
Hardship Grants are available to UK residents only.
To be eligible for a small grant or donation, the following criteria must be met:
• We prioritise the most financially excluded people
• We prioritise items that will make the most difference
• Additional weight is given to those with caring responsbilities
What we fund:
• Household items (white goods and occasionally other items i.e. sofas, wardrobes etc.)
• Basic Living Expenses (Utilities or food)
• Work or Education related expenses (interview clothes, school uniforms, laptops)
• Rent arrears and Council tax arrears where there is a clear and obvious risk of homelessness (For rent arrears involving a social landlord please outline what support has already been offered to your tenant
• Contribution to immigration related costs where the current immigration status directly causes financial hardship to the applicant
What we do NOT fund:
• Higher education tuition fees or maintenance during study (please refer to the annual Scholars’ Fund for this)
• Repayments of credit card debts
• Private school fees for primary or secondary education
• Non-essential items (such as TV licences or TVs)
• Pet care
• Water bill arrears
• Flooring or carpets
• Applicants who are already on an IVA or debt management solution
• Unspecified costs (please be explicit in what you’re applying for and how much it will cost)
2. Other help you should seek before applying to COSARAF Foundation Hardship Fund
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are taking advantage of all support offered by local services, including the referring social organisation. Other sources of funding must have been exhausted.
How much help is available?
You could receive up to a maximum of £2,000 in one year, but only in exceptional cases will individual’s receive a grant of more than £500. It is not possible to apply more than once in a single year.
3. How to apply
Applications can only be made by a recognised social organisation (a charity, housing association, school or social services) on your behalf. The Awarders will rely on the social organisation’s assessment of your need, so you must ensure that you give as much information as possible to them and that the details you give are accurate. All the information you give will be treated confidentially.
Awards are made from the COSARAF Foundation Hardship Fund every eight to ten weeks. The Hardship grants committee meets once every six weeks to discuss recent applications. Unfortunately, we are not an emergency relief fund.
The social organisation will be informed of the outcome of your application within six to eight weeks of the application submission.
4. What if I disagree with the outcome of my application?
If your application is unsuccessful, the social organisation will be sent an explanatory letter. Due to the volume of applications, the COSARAF Foundation is unable to enter in to correspondence related to rejected applications.
5. Application form
Please find a link to the application form on the APPLY NOW button.
You should not fill in the form yourself. Only the social organisation should complete the form, so please contact them for more information. Social organisations should not edit the form electronically or change the layout.
