Other sources of help.....
Unfortunately, there are some purposes for which we are unable to offer assistance. Some of these are listed below, together with suggestions where help may be found. At the present time we are unable to accept applications from women who work 16 or more hours per week. There are many benevolent funds that help people who are working, or have worked, in a particular trade or profession, and their dependents.
We do not provide accommodation. If you are homeless and need help finding somewhere to live, you may find the Crisis web site useful.
We do not operate or assist with fees for care or nursing homes, nor can we give advice and information about finding a suitable home or meeting the cost. The Care Directory contains a wealth of material relating to care and care provision in older age. It is intended to help people be fully informed about all aspects of care and also contains a nationwide listing of care providers. Counsel and Care specialises in information and advice on issues around care for older people (aged 60 and over) living in the UK. Care Homes Guide Ltd provides an in-depth search facility for all types of nursing, residential, and retirement homes.
We only provide financial assistance. Contact the Elderly is a national charity with local groups all over the UK, helping combat the loneliness so often felt by very elderly people who live alone.
We are unable to offer counselling for emotional, relationship or any other problems. There are many organisations that do so, and details may be found in your local library or by surfing the internet.
The society is unable to offer debt counselling, or make grants for the repayment of debts, including
bank loans and overdrafts
credit cards and store cards
mail order catalogues
mortgage arrears
rent arrears
council tax arrears
overpaid benefits
nor does it assist with bankruptcy fees.
Before taking out further loans to repay existing debts, you should consider taking expert independent advice. This may be from a reputable debt advice company such as Payplan or from a charity such as Consumer Credit Counselling Service or your local Citizen's Advice Bureau. If you need legal advice you could visit Community Legal Service Direct
We are unable to offer help with either fees or living expenses. Most local libraries have a copy of the Educational Grants Directory and other publications. There is information on the internet about funding for post-16 education in the UK.
The Society does not campaign for equality between women and men in the UK on pay, pensions, poverty, justice and politics. The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading campaign for equality between women and men.
If you are in receipt of certain state benefits you may be eligible for help with the cost of a funeral for which you are responsible by way of a grant from the Social Fund. Whilst the Society is unable to help with the cost of funerals there are many charities that do so. They are usually ones that help people who have worked in particular trades or professions, or their dependants, and many are members of the Occupational Benevolent Funds Alliance.
We are unable to pay for private health care or medical treatment
We are unable to offer help with the cost of holidays. There are many charities that do so, and details may be found in your local library or by surfing the internet. National Benevolent Fund for the Aged arranges group holidays for older people.
We are unable to offer legal advice. If you need advice about debt, education, employment or claiming benefits we recommend that you contact you local Citizens' Advice Bureau (see above) or visit Community Legal Service Direct for further information. We do not make grants towards legal fees.
Many local authorities operate an Assisted Deposit Scheme for people who wish to rent in the private sector but are unable to find a deposit. You may also find the Crisis web site useful.