Money, grants and benefits

There is information below about the benefits that may be available to help your family, about places you can find advice about money, and organisations who offer grants to people in need.

Free school meals

Some children are eligible to receive free school meals. Children who are eligible will also qualify for the Holiday Activity and Food Programme.  

To find out more, follow this link to Free school meals

Household Support Fund

Stoke-on-Trent City Council, working alongside a range of local partners, is providing vital support on behalf of the UK Government to help families across the city who may be struggling with the cost of living.

This includes help with food, energy bills, and other essential household costs.

Food vouchers are available during school holidays to help children who receive Free School Meals.

For up to date information see Household Support Fund

Benefits

Use the Benefits Calculator to see what you can claim -

You can find out about housing benefit and council tax support in Stoke-on-Trent online - 

There is a guide to the benefits you may be able to claim at the Contact website.

There is information about benefits that you may be eligible for, including Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Carer’s Allowance

If you would like some help filling in the application forms, here are some people who can help you. Find information to help with filling in the DLA form for your child by clicking here

There is some detailed help to fill in your Child DLA form from Contact – you can read it by clicking here.

If you're unsure what financial support you may be entitled to, there are several tools and resources available to guide you:

  • Check what you can claim: Use the Benefits Calculator to find out which benefits you may be eligible for - Benefit calculator
  • Housing Benefit & Council Tax Support: You can apply online for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support in Stoke-on-Trent - Apply for housing benefit
  • General Benefits Guide: Visit the Contact website for a helpful overview of benefits you may be able to claim - Benefits | Contact

Need Help with Forms?

If you need support filling in application forms, help is available:

Appointeeship

You can apply to become an appointee for someone who may need help with claiming benefit because they need support managing their own affairs.

There is more information about when this might be suitable on the Scope website - Become an appointee to manage someone’s benefits 

You can find out how to apply to do this on the government website - Become an appointee for someone claiming benefits 

Food

You can find the details of places to save money on food shopping here - Saving money on food shopping – SEND Local Offer

Advice about money

You can find information about cost of living support available in Stoke-on-Trent by clicking here: Access cost of living support you’re entitled to

Welcoming Spaces

A Welcoming Space is a place of connection already established in the community (such as a community centre, library or place of faith), where people can meet up, socialise, and access support, relating to the cost of living. Services available at each Welcoming Space will vary but may include:

  • access to support about money, welfare, and mental wellbeing
  • community activities
  • access to computers, free Wi-Fi and charging points
  • heated space

You can find your closest Welcoming Space here: Welcoming Spaces

Grants

A grant is help given to people in need. A grant can be given as money, products or services that don’t have to be paid back.

These organisations can help you find grants that you may be able to apply for - Support - grants

This list of charities offering different types of support may also be useful Charity Trust Directory

 

Understanding your child's needs

Useful links

Organisations and services directory