Charity grants in Northern Ireland

Each charity has its own rules. In general you will need to be on a low income or in financial need, and most will ask for proof such as a benefit letter.

Check Discretionary Support first

The Department for Communities runs Discretionary Support, Northern Ireland's help in a crisis. It can give you an interest-free loan or a grant you do not pay back, and you do not have to be on benefits. Charities often ask whether you have tried it before they help. See nidirect: Discretionary Support.

Family Fund: families raising a disabled or seriously ill child

Family Fund provides a wide range of grants to families living in Northern Ireland raising a disabled or seriously ill child, or young adult, on a low income. Grants can be for things such as beds and bedding. Families in Northern Ireland can apply for a Family Fund grant every 24 months. You can apply if:

• you have a low income from working, or benefits
• you’re the main carer for a disabled or seriously ill child, aged 17 or younger
• you have been resident in Northern Ireland for at least six months

Your child also needs high levels of support in at least three areas of Family Fund's eligibility criteria. You will need proof of income, such as your most recent benefits award letter or your last three months of payslips, and proof of any disability benefits your child gets. Apply online at Family Fund.

Macmillan grants: cancer, in four council areas

Macmillan's Grant service is no longer nationally available. Local grants are a trial in the highest areas of deprivation. In Northern Ireland they are currently available in Derry City and Strabane, Newry, Mourne and Down, Causeway Coast and Glens, and Fermanagh and Omagh.

Wherever you live, the free Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 can check what benefits and financial support you might be entitled to. See Macmillan Grants, and our guide to money help at the end of life.

There is a Macmillan Information and Support Service in every Trust area, linked to your local Cancer Unit. The freephone Cancer Focus nurse line, 0800 783 3339, is open Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm.

St Vincent de Paul: help with food, fuel and essentials

The Society of St Vincent de Paul offers a confidential service to individuals and families, whoever or wherever they are. When someone contacts SVP, two trained volunteers will arrange a visit to listen, understand their situation, and explore how they can help. Support may include practical or financial assistance with everyday essentials, such as food, fuel and household items.

SVP is not an emergency service, and visits may take up to two weeks after initial contact. Phone the North Region office in Belfast on 028 9035 1561, or 028 7126 5489 in Derry. See SVP Northern Ireland.

Armed forces families: the Irish Ex-Service Trust

The Irish Ex-Service Trust fund assists people residing in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, including currently serving and ex-service personnel and their families, including partners, those who are widowed, and dependent children. It gives Assessed Needs Grants, and it can pay nursing-home top-up fees of up to £60 per week in Northern Ireland.

The Royal British Legion runs the fund, so you apply through the Legion. Phone 0808 802 8080. See Irish Ex-Service Trust fund.

For free advice on benefits, housing and veterans' services, phone the Veterans Support Line NI on 0800 158 5556, Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm, or text ADVICE to 07860 042576.

Food banks

To get help from a food bank you'll need to be referred for a food voucher, which you exchange at the food bank for a food parcel. You can get a food voucher from a number of local community organisations. Trussell's find a food bank lists the referral agencies near you.

Finding other grants

Many smaller charities give grants to people from a particular trade, illness or background. The Turn2us Grants Search lets you look them up by your age, postcode and circumstances. All charitable funds have specific qualifying rules, and in general you will have to be in financial need or on a low income.

For free help finding grants and checking your benefits, phone the Advice NI freephone helpline on 0800 915 4604. Advice NI can also give specialist debt and budgeting advice.

Common questions

Keep going