GrantRadar

Westminster Amalgamated Charity

Westminster Amalgamated Charity Grants for Individuals

Small grants, typically £100 to £500, for people living in the London Borough of Westminster who are on benefits or a low income, disabled, or homeless and living in a hostel. Grants cover clothing, essential household items, decorating materials and rugs. Individuals cannot apply themselves: a recognised referring agency (such as Social Services, Citizens Advice, a housing association, a hostel or a Westminster charity) applies on their behalf through WAC's online portal. Successful grants are paid as e-gift cards through the agency.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£100 – £500
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Individuals currently living in the London Borough of Westminster who are on benefits; on a low income and on benefits; on a low income, on benefits and disabled; or homeless and living in a hostel
  • They must be referred by a recognised agency (Social Services, Citizens Advice, a housing association, a hostel, or a registered charity operating in Westminster), which applies for them
  • Applicants should first claim all state benefits, grants and statutory help they are entitled to, including Westminster City Council's Local Support Payments Scheme where appropriate
  • Anyone with substantial unsecured debt should get debt advice before applying
  • WAC is independent and not part of Westminster City Council or the DWP

What it funds

  • Clothing
  • Essential household items (including furniture, white goods and kitchen equipment)
  • Decorating materials
  • Floor coverings (rugs only - fitted flooring is not funded)

applications should ask for only one major household item (for example a cooker, fridge, washing machine or large item of furniture) or a small number of lower-value household items.

What it will not fund

  • TVs
  • CD/DVD players
  • Technology accessories (e.g. headphones, earbuds, sound bars, speakers)
  • Gaming equipment and downloads
  • Mobile phones
  • Computers/laptops/software
  • Education-related needs
  • Holidays
  • Debt repayment, fees, removal costs, rent, bills, fitted flooring or food
  • Emergency cash grants or crisis loans
  • Retrospective funding
  • Needs that could reasonably be met through local or national statutory provision
  • Applicants with unresolved debt issues, including substantial credit card balances or private loans
  • Requests sent by email or post rather than through the online portal

How to apply

  1. The individual finds a recognised referring agency; WAC's website lists organisations that may help
  2. The referring agency registers on WAC's online grants portal
  3. The agency completes the application form for the individual, including complete monthly income and expenditure tables, and attaches the supporting evidence
  4. The Grants Committee considers applications on a rolling basis throughout the year and notifies the referring agency of the outcome
  5. If successful, WAC sends an e-gift card for a suitable retailer to the referring agency to pass on; receipts must then be sent to WAC as proof of purchase

incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be considered, and WAC will not rewrite them. Agencies should not chase for status updates; contact WAC only if the client's circumstances change. Queries: wac@3chars.org.uk.

Have ready

  • Bank statement (must reconcile with the financial information in the form)
  • Benefits statement
  • Referral letter

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