GrantRadar

COSARAF Foundation

Hardship Grants

Hardship grants for individuals and families living in the UK who are in significant financial hardship, for essentials such as white goods, utilities or food, work or education costs, rent or council tax arrears where there is a risk of homelessness, and immigration-related costs. Up to £2,000 a year is possible, but only in exceptional cases will a grant exceed £500. Individuals cannot apply themselves: a registered charity, public body, social landlord, school or other social organisation must apply on their behalf as a referral partner, then pay for the approved items and reclaim the money against receipts. The Foundation distributes both Sadaqah funds (open to people of all faiths and none) and Zakat funds (Muslim applicants only).

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £2,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Individuals and families living in the UK who are suffering significant hardship and who have already used all support offered by local services and exhausted other sources of funding
  • Trustees give priority to the most financially excluded people, families over individuals, those with caring responsibilities, and items that will make the most difference to the long-term future
  • Sadaqah funds are open to people of all faiths and none; Zakat funds are only for Muslim applicants
  • Individuals cannot apply directly and COSARAF will not help them find a referrer: the application must be made by a third-party social organisation acting as a referral partner, such as a registered charity, public body, social landlord, voluntary organisation or school
  • CICs and limited companies cannot be referral partners
  • The referral partner must stay involved from start to finish, write a supporting letter, and be able to pay for the approved items in advance and then claim reimbursement against receipts

What it funds

Hardship grants for individuals and families, other than in exceptional cases only for:

  • Household items (white goods and occasionally other items such as sofas and wardrobes)
  • Basic living expenses (utilities or food)
  • Work- or education-related expenses (interview clothes, laptops, occasionally school uniforms)
  • Rent arrears and council tax arrears, but only where there is a clear and obvious risk of homelessness
  • A contribution to immigration-related costs, where the current immigration status directly causes financial hardship

What it will not fund

  • Higher education tuition fees or maintenance during study
  • Private school fees for primary or secondary education
  • Repayments of credit card debts
  • Pet care
  • Water bill arrears
  • Flooring or carpets
  • Non-essential items (such as TV licences or TVs)
  • Applicants already on an IVA or debt management solution
  • Unspecified costs
  • School trips
  • Car repairs
  • Holidays
  • A second grant to someone who has already received one in the same financial year (April to March)

How to apply

  1. The referral partner reads the hardship guidance (and the Zakat Distribution Policy if applying for Zakat funds) and checks the person is in significant hardship and has exhausted other support
  2. The referral partner completes the online Hardship Application Form via the 'Apply Now' button, selecting either the Sadaqah or Zakat fund and giving full household budget details
  3. Attach a supporting letter on the referral partner's letterheaded paper, signed, explaining the applicant's reasons for hardship, needs and full background circumstances
  4. The Hardship Fund committee meets every six weeks; the referral partner is told the outcome within six to eight weeks
  5. If awarded, the referral partner buys the approved items, spends the grant within 2 months and sends receipts within 60 days to be reimbursed

Individuals should not fill in the form or contact COSARAF; it communicates only with the referral partner.

COSARAF is not an emergency relief fund, does not pay funds in advance or directly to the applicant, and there is no appeal.

If unsuccessful, up to three applications can be made in one financial year.

Have ready

  • Completed hardship application form with full budget details
  • Supporting letter on the referral partner's letterheaded paper, signed, with full background on the applicant's hardship (generic letters are not accepted)

Receipts are required after an award, within 60 days, for reimbursement.

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