In this section you will find answers to the following questions:

  • What is a Budgeting Loan?
  • Who can claim?

What is a Budgeting Loan?

If you are refused a Community Care Grant, you may be offered a Budgeting Loan. The key difference is that you will have to pay the Budgeting Loan back on a weekly basis.

A Budgeting Loan can range from £100 to £1,500, although if you are a minimum of 60-years old and have savings of more than £2,000, you will be able to claim less.

Who can claim?

To claim a Budgeting Loan you must have been receiving Pension Credit for a minimum of 26 weeks, unless you are moving out of institutional care. The decision-maker will also take into account the length of time you’ve been on benefits, if anyone you live with can help you or if you have had any previous access to the Social Fund.

You are also limited to the amount of money you can access at any time from the Social Fund. The most you can owe the fund at any time is £1,500.