The purpose of the fund
Our Financial Hardship fund provides short term financial support for essential living costs, helping to reduce immediate pressure and prevent further hardship for injured police personnel and their families when finances are stretched.
This grant meant I didn’t have to choose between paying bills and managing my health. It helped me get through a really difficult time.Police veteran
Who this fund is for
You may be able to apply for a grant from this fund if you are:
• A registered serving (anyone currently working or volunteering in UK policing, including police officers, staff and volunteers) or veteran (anyone who has previously worked or volunteered in policing, regardless of how or when they left the service, including those who left due to injury or ill-health) member of the police community, or
• An immediate adult family member who is financially dependent on a registered serving or veteran member of the police community
In all cases, applicants must be registered with us.
Would you be eligible for this fund?
Before you start your application it’s important to check whether you will be eligible for this fund and that you have all of the relevant information available to support your application. LINK to list of information
To make sure support goes to those most in need, the following criteria also applies to applications for this fund:
- Your household income must be at, or within, 10% of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) Minimum Income Standard for your Household. Check Minimum Income Standard
- You must be receiving all eligible injury related benefits, which may include an ill health pension and/or an injury on duty award
- Your household savings and capital must not exceed £10,000.
The Financial hardship fund can help with:
Essential day-to-day living costs, including:
- Food
- Housing related costs
- Furniture
- Transport expenses
This list is indicative. What matters most is how the funding helps meet essential needs and reduces immediate financial pressure.
What is the maximum funding available?
- Grants are available up to £1,200 per application
- You can apply once per financial year
This fund is intended to provide short-term support and help prevent crisis, rather than ongoing assistance.
Here’s a list of the type of information you will be expected to provide in your application:
Our welfare team can talk this through with you, step by step.
- A clear explanation of why the funding is needed and how it will be used
- Income and expenditure details for you and your household
To assess financial need fairly, we will ask for:
- Three months of recent bank statements for you and any adult household members
- Details of any savings or financial assets
- Any additional information requested by your grants advisor
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Registration allows us to verify harm linked to policing and is required before applying forinancial support.
Yes. Applications can be submitted at any time, but funding is awarded only once per financial year.
You won’t be eligible for this fund if you are already receiving charitable funding for the same purpose.
Yes. Our welfare advisors are available to support you and explain what information is needed.
Grants are discretionary and not intended to be treated as income, but individual circumstances vary. We recommend checking with a benefits advisor or HMRC.
The difference this support can make
For many people, small amounts of practical financial help can make a significant difference; reducing stress, preventing debt, and helping maintain stability during difficult periods.
