Poverty charity Turn2Us launches £500 emergency coronavirus grant fund
People in a financial crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic are able to receive immediate help in the form of a cash grant. Thanks to an emergency coronavirus fund from national poverty charity, Turn2us.
Turn2us is an independent charity providing practical financial help
According to the charity website. One million people have come to Turn2us for help in the last three weeks alone – a 520% increase. The charity provides practical help and information to people during life-changing events. It has ring-fenced income from its recent fundraising appeal to support people affected by the pandemic and will pay out the grant via its Turn2us Coronavirus Grant Fund.
£500 emergency grant available
A one-off payment of £500 will not need to be paid back. It is an expansion of the support the charity already provides via its grantmaking and support services. This crisis grant is intended to be a financial lifeline for people who meet the fund’s simple eligibility criteria; and will be put into people’s bank accounts as soon as possible.
COVID-19 is undoubtedly the largest public health crisis for a generation and is a threat to all of our lives. The length of the disruption caused by the virus is unknown. What is certain is that millions of people have already found themselves in financial hardship. While the government’s measures will help many in time. The charity’s aim is to alleviate some of the immediate financial pressures of those most in need.
The Turn2us Coronavirus Grant Fund has been set up to support people – who have lost their income as a result of the Coronavirus – and need to meet their immediate basic household expenses.
How Turn2Us can help:
Turn2Us is able to provide a one-off crisis grant of £500 per household towards essential living expenses (food, bills etc).
Who can apply:
We can only help those who are in immediate financial difficulty due to the Coronavirus.
You need to prove that you:
- can clearly demonstrate a loss of income due to COVID-19. Evidence will be required showing at least a 50% reduction in earnings. E.g. bank statements, a letter from an employer outlining the change in employment
- reside in the UK / Republic of Ireland
- are not currently in Further or Higher Education
- are over 18
- have less than £1K savings (single person) or less than £2K savings (couple/family)
Please note that if you have received a Turn2us grant in the last 6 months, you will not be eligible for this grant.
How do I apply?
If you already have a Turn2us account please log in and click this link
OR/
If you do not have a Turn2us account please create one by clicking this link
Thomas Lawson, Chief Executive of Turn2us, said:
“Despite government measures to support people during the coronavirus pandemic, millions of people simply don’t qualify for help and will fall quickly into the hell and stress of a financial crisis. On top of this, those who are eligible for help may have to wait months for the financial support to come through and at the very least wait a minimum of five weeks for Universal Credit.
“The Turn2us Coronavirus Grant Fund is designed to get help to people when they need it – now. We want to stop people from maxing out credit cards, getting into debt with banks and using high street lenders. We urge anyone who fits the criteria to apply for the £500 grant as soon as possible.
“Based on our own data and insight, we’re expecting the need for this support to grow and grow throughout the course of the lockdown and beyond. We urge anyone who is a financial position to do so, to donate now. You have the ability to make the most incredible difference. Your contribution will ensure that our grant fund can keep going and prevent as many of your neighbours as possible from falling into financial ruin.”
Roberts story
Robert travels around the South Devon area providing musical entertainment for a range of clients, including care homes, weddings, parties and other events. His business and modest income from his wife help them provide for their three young children.
In early March he received his first gig cancellation at a small residential home – as the manager was concerned about the virus spreading amongst residents. Shortly after that, all other bookings for the foreseeable future were cancelled, so he reviewed his finances to work out how his family could cope.
Their landlord, as well as considering some relief on rent payments during this period, also referred Robert to Turn2us. The charity reviewed his grant application and due to this sudden loss of critical income, awarded him a grant of £500 to help him pay their bills and put food on the table for the family.
Funding
The Turn2us Coronavirus Grant Fund is being funded by the generosity of donors. The charity is urging people who can to make a donation today and stand together with the people most in need of help during this time.
Turn2us has launched an appeal to provide the funds for the coronavirus grant programme. Unless those of us who can help do so today, many thousands more families will find themselves penniless or in crippling debt that will far outlast the virus. We can’t let that happen. Please help now by texting TOGETHER to 70575 to donate £10, or by visiting: Turn2Us.
Thank you: I would like to credit UK Money bloggers Skint Dad for first bringing my attention to this great charity.