Money & Debt

We can offer grants of up to £2,500 within a 12-month period to support individuals facing financial hardship. These grants can be used for one or more of the following needs, up to the total maximum amount of £2,500:

• Essential living expenses
• Housing costs
• Childcare expenses
• Health and care-related costs
• Professional membership fees

To determine your eligibility for a grant, you’ll need to complete an application form outlining your current financial situation. This includes details about your household income and expenses, assets, and household composition.

You may qualify for a grant if you meet the following criteria:

You have at least one year of professional experience in the UK in architecture, architectural technology, or landscape architecture

OR

• You are a dependant of someone with the above experience.

AND

• have less than £6,000 in savings (or £10,000 for households where there is someone with a long-term health condition or disability)
• have less than £100,000 net assets (this includes pensions and equity in property).
• are assessed as being in financial need using the 65% or 75% (where there is someone with a debilitating health condition or disability) of the relevant Minimum Income Standard (MIS) for the household type. MIS figures are produced annually by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

If eligible, a Welfare Caseworker will review your application and work with you to determine which of the available grants would best support your current needs.

If you’re considered for a grant, we’ll also request verification of your identity and financial circumstances.

We offer advice and support on ways to manage debts ­– as well as referrals to specialist organisations that can work with you to find solutions.

We offer advice on how to claim the benefits you’re entitled to* and can make referrals to our network of specialist Welfare Benefits Advisors.

Our Welfare Benefits Advisors will work directly with you to assess your individual situation. They can help you to:

• Ensure you are claiming all benefits you are entitled to
• Complete a new or existing claim or appeal for you or a dependant of yours

We understand that claiming benefits can be a complicated process but you should be able to claim the benefits you are entitled to, and we can help you to do this.

*there are many reasons you could be entitled to benefits e.g. you are sick or have a disability, you are caring for someone, you have been bereaved, you are pregnant or have recently had a baby.

You could also be entitled to benefits whilst you are employed.

We don’t provide financial support for business debts, but you can find plenty of useful information and resources here.