What is the Community Fund?
Grants of up to £500 are available to help older people of state pension age, living on a low-income with the costs of home essentials, unexpectedly large bills, living costs and getting connected online.
Referral Agents who know the older person in a professional or community capacity must apply on the older person’s behalf.
Referral Agents can include housing associations, local authorities, charities, community organisations, social workers, advice providers, health centres, cultural and religious centres. A doctor/GP surgery may also be a referrer, but only if they are willing to submit the application and follow through on the outcome.
Please note that Referral Agents cannot be friends, family, neighbours, or other individuals.
The Friends of The Elderly programme has 4 strands:
- Digital Connections: to help older people get online and stay connected and can be used towards the cost of equipment such as tablets and smartphones, as well as Broadband/Wi-Fi/mobile Wi-Fi costs. The maximum grant available under this measure is £400 or £500 for households where two or more people are eligible for grants (e.g., a couple, siblings, friends living together at the same address)
- Essential Living Costs: to help with clothing, food, medicines, books, and anything that has become unmanageable either because of the COVID-19 pandemic or due to pre-existing needs. The maximum grant under this measure is £250.
- Financial Support; to help with unexpected bills and large costs such as utility bills, funeral costs for loved ones, moving fees etc. The maximum grant is £400 or £500 as per the criteria in strand 1.
- Home Essentials: to help with the cost of replacing everyday items in the home (white goods such as washing machines, fridges, freezers etc, and furnishings), small home repairs and mobility adaptations. The maximum grant available under this measure is £400 or £500 as per the criteria in strands 1&3.
In order to qualify for grant support, the older person must:
- Be of UK state pension age
- Be on a low income and with savings of less than £4,000.
- Have not served in the UK Armed Forces
- Living in privately owned, privately rented, or social housing. (i.e., not in residential or nursing homes)
To apply, the Referral Agent should complete the online application form.
Applications may be made at any time.