Monday, November 11, 2024

UNISON Winter Essentials Grant - one month to go


A month to go before low paid UNISON members can apply for this welcome grant. I was worried that the cuts to the welfare budget approved by the majority NEC Group would have meant it might have been discontinued but the money cut could have helped thousands of extra UNISON members.

The system is also a little fairer this year as members will have a 24 hour window to apply and be selected at random (see below). Not perfect but better than previous system.

Please pass on this link as many members (and branches) are unaware of this potential £200 grant.

"You shouldn’t have to choose between heating and eating, but UNISON Welfare is there for you. If you’re a UNISON member on a low income, you may be eligible to apply for a £200 voucher towards your food shopping.

Applicants must:  

  • Be a UNISON member and have paid at least four weeks’ subscriptions as of 11 December 2024. Subscriptions must be up to date.
  • Not have received a grant from UNISON Welfare since 11 June
    2024, excluding the School Uniform Grant.
  • Have savings (including the total combined rolling balance on current accounts) below £1,000 to qualify.
  • Must be responsible (or their partner, if applicable) for household fuel bills. Only one application per household will be considered.

And EITHER:

Be on a low income, meaning a net household income of no more than £26,000/year (£2,166.67/month)**

OR:

Be in receipt of means-tested benefits. This includes:

  • Universal Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Child and/or Working Tax Credits
  • Pension Credit
  • Means-tested Jobseekers Allowance
  • Means-tested Employment Support Allowance
  • Income Support

**Where members have no recourse to public funds and their household income is above £26,000/year an assessment will be undertaken to see whether they would be eligible for benefits if they did have recourse to public funds so that they are not disadvantaged.

How do I apply?

All applications should be made online. Applications will open on this page for 24 hours from 12 noon on Wednesday 11 December. Eligible members will be chosen at random from the applicant pool and contacted to submit supporting documents.

Due to limited funds and in anticipation of high demand, we regret that we will not be able to help all members who apply.

If you are unable to complete the application due to a disability access need, please email: weg@unison.co.uk or call UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.

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