Grants for individuals

City of Westminster lamppost

Eligibility

Westminster Amalgamated Charity can help you only if you now live, work or study in the Old City of Westminster (the former Metropolitan Borough of Westminster) or if you have previously lived or worked in this area for a total of five years or more.

The Old City of Westminster is that area covered by Westminster Council which is situated SOUTH of Oxford Street. It includes, for example, Victoria, Pimlico, Mayfair, Soho and Covent Garden but not Bayswater or Paddington.

Grants are awarded to individuals who are on a low income or in receipt of benefits, on a low income/benefits and have a disability, or are homeless (but residing in a hostel).

Grants can be made towards:

  • Purchasing clothing
  • Purchasing essential household items (furniture, white goods, kitchen equipment)
  • Holidays for individuals aged 60 and over (taken in the UK only)
  • Decorating/carpeting

Grants range typically between £100 and £350 and all grants are made at Trustees' discretion.

Street signs, Covent Garden

Exclusions

We do not award grants for:

  • TVs
  • CD/DVD players
  • Mobile phones
  • Computers/software
  • Educational needs
  • Holidays abroad
  • Debt repayment or fees

How to apply

You can download an application form via this website or contact us and we will send/email the form out to you.

Click the links below to download and print our grants for individuals application form:

in Word format

in PDF format (requires Adobe Reader)

Please note: your application will need to be supported by a sponsor. This sponsor must be a recognised agency such as Social Services, Citizens Advice Bureau, Housing Office, Hostel, GP etc.

If you need assistance with finding a sponsor, please click here for information on organisations that may be able to help you.

Individuals are expected to have sought all the State help they may be entitled to before applying. The Charity cannot give money for a need which could be covered by local or national State funds.

The Charity does not award grants retrospectively.

Applications must be accompanied by a supporting statement from the sponsor. Applications without a supporting statement will not be considered. Please provide us with a comprehensive statement in support of the applicant's need, including: background; any family circumstances, any medical, domestic or behavioural issues; your agency's involvement; why assistance is sought and why the individual cannot afford the items requested.

The completed form together with the supporting statement should then be returned to us by post.

Grant process

Wardour Street, Chinatown

Grants for individuals are assessed on a rolling basis throughout the year. Typically, a grant will take four to six weeks to process and may take longer if the information supplied is incomplete. If your application is successful, payments will be made to the sponsor or a designated retailer. Payments will not be made directly to the individual.

It is requirement of the Charity that store receipts, or copies thereof, are forwarded to us as proof of purchase.

Please note: the responsibility for the grant lies with the sponsor and the grant must be used for the purpose stated on the application form. Any misuse of funds will result in a claim for reimbursement being made by the Charity.

Questions

If you have any doubts about your eligibility or questions regarding your application please contact the Grants Administrator.