The Social Fund may be able to provide lump sum cash payments to cover extra expenses that you find difficult to meet from your weekly income.

• Funeral payments can help with the cost of arranging a funeral.
• Community care grants help people live independently at home - they can be for things such as beds, cookers, removal costs or certain travel costs.
• Budgeting loans can help with an item that you cannot afford - but these have to be repaid from your weekly Pension Credit or Income Support.
• Crisis loans may be available if you have special needs because of an emergency or crisis. These have to be repaid and any income and savings available is taken into account.

Generally to receive a Social Fund payment you must be entitled to Pension Credit or Income Support, but funeral payments are also made to people getting Housing or Council Tax Benefit, income-based Job Seeker's Allowace and some tax credits. You don't need to be getting any benefits to apply for a crisis loan.

Funeral Payments are paid according to set rules but the other Social Fund payments described above are discretionary so not everyone who applies can recieve them.

For further information please see Age Concern Factsheet 49 or Contact Information and Advice.