Click the “Apply for a Hardship Grant” button. This will take you to Lightning Reach.

• Create or update your profile. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you already have a Lightning Reach account, log in and update your details if your circumstances have changed.

• Review your support options. Lightning Reach will show you the financial support you may be eligible for, including help with energy bills, rent, home essentials, and more.

• Apply to us. If your profile shows that you meet our criteria, you will see National Benevolent Charity Financial Hardship Grants. Click “Apply” and complete the extra sections below.

1. Information

You will need to agree to Lightning Reach sharing your information with us and any other organisation you choose to apply to.

2. Support Worker

Please give the contact details of the advice or support worker who is supplying the supporting statement for your application. See the section on What are Hardship Grants above for who can be an advice or support worker.

3. Household

Please give details about your household

• tell us about the current issues or challenges you or your household are facing, including any relevant medical diagnosis

• explain how your circumstances are affecting you and your financial situation

• tell us what you are applying for, such as food or clothing vouchers, white goods, household items or help with priority debts

• include as much detail as possible, such as item size, cost, model, preferred store, or details of any debts you are asking for help with

• tell us whether any dependent children live with you, how many, and how many are under 5.

4. Bank Account

Please connect your bank account through Lightning Reach so we can view your income and expenditure for the last three months.

Connecting your bank account is safe, quick, and secure.   Watch a demonstration of how it works here.  

If you cannot connect to your bank account because you do not use online banking, you can upload PDF bank statements instead. Screenshots will not be accepted

5. Income and expenditure

Please provide the income and expenditure for your entire household, including everyone who contributes to day-to-day living costs.

This section is quicker and easier to complete if you connected your bank accounts using Open Banking in the previous section, as many fields will be completed automatically. You can edit any pre-filled amounts if they are not accurate.

You can also use the Standard Financial Statement within the form to estimate costs if you do not have the exact figures.

6. Evidencing need

Depending on what the grant is to be used for, evidence will need to be supplied. Ensure that all evidence is uploaded with the application.