If you are a kinship carer on a low income or means-tested benefits, did you know you may be entitled to free income grants, charity funds, and money savings to help you and your family?
There are many charities which you can apply for locally – We’ve put together a list of all of the ways you can save money:
Find a Charity
Charity-run website ‘Turn2us’ has an easy-to-use grant search that tells you how to contact any suitable charities directly, or you can register for a free account to send online enquiries and applications to charities through the site.
Too Good to Go App
Every day, delicious, fresh food goes to waste at cafes, restaurants, hotels, shops, and manufacturers – just because it hasn’t sold in time. The Too Good to Go app lets you buy and collect this food – at a great price – so it gets eaten instead of wasted. You won’t know exactly what’s in your order until you pick it up – it’s all part of the surprise. You can obtain further information about the scheme here.
Download the app to get started.
Guide on How to Get Cheap or Free Food
Think there’s no such thing as a free lunch? From supermarkets and fast-food chains to high-end restaurants, Martin Lewis the money saving expert has put together 17 tips to grab free grub (or at least get it super-cheap) including how to get PAID to dine out. See here.
Cheap Online Shopping
Find the best deals online. Martin Lewis the money-saving expert has put together 40+ tips on how you can spot bargains online, compare prices at the click of a bottom and even get sent discount codes from retailers – see here.
Reuse – Network
Reuse Network has reuse centres stocked with high-quality, affordable household items including furniture, electrical appliances, IT equipment, and more. If you are looking for affordable household items, you can find a Reuse Centre near you here.
You can also find free white goods on sites like Freecycle and Freegle, but bear in mind you’ll often need to collect them yourself.
Find a Food Bank
It’s a really challenging time for everyone at the moment. If you are struggling to put food on the table, please don’t be afraid to use your nearest food bank. You can contact your local food bank by using the Trussell Trust help to find a food bank tool here.
If you’re not sure what financial support you’re entitled to, head to our Advice & Information page for help, or get in touch with our friendly advice team.