Grants for Individuals

Due to the Christmas holidays, applications received after 9th December 2024 will not be reviewed until the new year.

We provide small grants to individuals and families in severe hardship in our area of benefit. 

Who can apply?

These grants must be made on behalf of the applicant by any local organisation. This could be a community centre, tenants’ association, department of Camden Council, NHS, housing associations, advice agencies or other voluntary agency where the individual or family is known. We cannot accept applications directly from individuals needing help.

Who can we give grants to?

The individuals or families must be living in or moving into our area of benefit. Find out where our area of benefit covers here.

What can the grants cover?

These grants are usually for basic living needs including household items such as white goods, furniture, cookers, beds and children’s items. They can also cover clothing, specific travel costs and other requests. We cannot usually cover rent arrears. When individuals are substantially in debt we may recommend referral to one of the debt advice projects locally. 

How to apply

The application must be made on behalf of the applicant by any local organisation. The application requires detailed information about the circumstances of the person/family in need, including their finances, and the applying body must be willing to receive and/or account for any grant offered.

Please check the address for which you are applying is in our area of benefit before completing the form since we cannot accept applications from any roads that are not listed on our website on the Area of Benefit section.

Applications should be made on the Individual Grant Application Form.  and completed forms sent to [email protected]. Applications are not accepted by post. If you need any support in filling in the application form, please contact the office and we can assist you. Applications can be submitted at any time and are currently considered on a 2 weekly basis.  Applications are generally limited to one per year for individuals unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Further information

When a grant has been awarded payment can either be made by bank transfer to the referring agency (our preferred method) or by bank transfer to the applicant directly. If a payment needs to be made directly to an applicant, their bank details will need to be provided by the referring agency and they will be responsible for ensuring that the grant is spent as intended and receipts are provided.

Examples of previous grants

Here are some examples of grants to individuals that we have provided recently:

A mother was supporting four young children in temporary accommodation with no recourse to public funds and surviving on a cash allowance of £5 per day. She requested and was granted £400 to pay for school uniform and winter clothing for her children.  

A young man living in a hostel had become homeless due to a decline in his mental health. The Trust were able to offer him a grant of £300 to purchase a laptop and a set of clothes in order to help him search for work and make a fresh start. 

A pensioner who had been street homeless for 12 years had been rehoused in unfurnished accommodation. He was sleeping on the floor. The Trust was able to provide a grant of £500 for a new bed, bedding and other basic items. 

A family fleeing domestic abuse had been rehoused in unfurnished accommodation. The Trust was able to support them by providing a grant to cover the cost of some basic furnishings which enabled them to feel safer in their new home.  

HWCT Grants to Individuals Application