Financial support

 

An update on our grants programme:  

Our grants service will be closed to new applications from 1 February 2025. 

Education Support has been providing financial assistance to educators for nearly 150 years, but due to increasing financial pressures, we are no longer able to continue this service. We will, however, continue to provide vital mental health and wellbeing support to education staff across the UK.  

Below we have outlined information about what this means for new or existing applications, as well as a list of other sources of financial support that may be useful.  

What this means for applications 

• Applications already submitted: These will be processed, and you will be contacted by our Grants Manager. 

• Draft applications: If you’ve started an application, you will need to submit it by 14 February 2026 so it can be processed. We cannot accept applications submitted after that date.  

• New applications: We cannot accept new applications from 1 February 2026. 

Other sources of support 

There are organisations providing funds and sources of support. We have included a list below, but please be aware that some of these organisations are also facing high levels of demand. 

Unions If you are a member of a union do contact them as most unions have a financial assistance or grants programme which you may be eligible for.   

Financial support 

• Teaching Staff Trust- www.teachingstafftrust.org.uk If you are currently working or worked in education for at least 5 years you may be eligible for financial support.   
• Turn2Us - turn2us.org.uk 
  Provide information on organisation that can offer financial support. Could apply to other funders using non-educational work history or your partner/spouse’s work history. This website also provides guides on benefits and other useful information. 
• EntitledTo - entitledto.co.uk Offer a benefits calculator to find out what benefits you might be entitled to and how to apply for them. 
• Mind - mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/ 
  They provide a Welfare Benefits Line, to assist individuals who have mental health issues and need help with applying for benefits, the number is 0300 222 5782 – the line is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. It can also help with benefits appeals. 

Money advice 

• Stepchange debt advice - stepchange.org 
• Christians Against Poverty - capuk.org 
• Debt Advice Foundation - debtadvicefoundation.org 
• Citizens Advice - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ 

Utility arrears  

Most utility suppliers have their own funds where they can provide some assistance to their customers who are in arrears.  If you have not already contacted your supplier, please check their websites; we have listed details of some of the main suppliers: 

• British Gas - British Gas Energy Support Fund  
• Octopus Energy - Octo Assist: Bill grants and help schemes | Octopus Energy  
• E.ON Next - How can the E.ON Next Energy Fund help me?  
• OVO Energy - OVO Energy Fund | OVO Energy Trust Fund | Charis  
• EDF Energy - How to apply to the EDF Customer Support Fund  
• Scottish Power - What is the ScottishPower Hardship Fund?  

Please also visit the links below:  

Charis - Support for individuals  Charis provide financial support on behalf of major utility  companies.  

Local Household Support Fund - gov.uk/cost-living-help-local-council  
Local councils offer cost-of-living support for people struggling to afford essentials like food and energy. You don’t need to be on benefits, and any Household Support Fund help won’t affect existing benefits. Visit the link above to find your council and apply. 

Housing advice  

Shelter – shelter.org.uk provide advice to tenants in all areas of housing; do contact them if you need some housing advice and information.  

• In England – 0808 800 4444 (free) open from 8am to 8pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm weekends and bank holidays. Local offices: england.shelter.org.uk/get_help/local_services 
• In Scotland – 0808 800 4444 (free)open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday 
• Cymru -08000 495 495, open 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday 
• Northern Ireland - 028 90247752  

Food 

• Foodbanks (nationwide) - trusselltrust.org 
• London - cityharvest.org.uk  

Domestic abuse 

• Women’s Aid (nationwide) - womensaid.org.uk   
• Solace Women’s Aid (London) - solacewomensaid.org  
• Victim Support - victimsupport.org.uk  

Financial worries can have an impact on our mental health and emotional state. If you need to talk, our helpline is here for you. You can speak to qualified counsellors, completely confidentially, 24/7 on 08000 562 561.