UNISON School Uniform Grant – APPLY NOW!

Worried about back to school costs?

Are you:

— struggling to cope with the rising cost of living?

— finding that you’re having to economise in every area of expenditure?

Help is on hand!

UNISON has set up a limited fund to help members on low income with school uniform costs by way of a one-off payment of up to £120.
To apply or find out more about other help that is available visit unison.org.uk/thereforyou to download an application form. Alternatively, contact UNISON Dumfries.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 15 July 2016.

PS. If you know of other members who may need our help, please pass this on!

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SCHOOL UNIFORM GRANT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What are UNISON There for You School Uniform Grants?

In addition to our normal range of services and in response to the growing difficulties many members on low income face, a programme has been put in place that will assist our most vulnerable members with the cost of purchasing school uniforms.

How much are the Grants?

They are one-off grants of £40.00 per school age child, up to a total of £120.00

Am I eligible?

To be eligible you must be:

• A member who has paid 4 weeks subscriptions before the launch date of this programme (23/5/16)
• Responsible for meeting household bills and struggling to pay them
• Financially responsible for the child/children.
• Not eligible for funding for uniform costs from your Local Authority
• Have a total net annual household income of £18,000 or less. [Note:By household income we mean net earnings after tax, national insurance, pension deductions of you, your partner and any other adults living in the property.
  Please note that the following is not included as income for the purpose of this specific grants programme: Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, Child Benefit and the childcare cost element only of Working Tax Credit

Is there anything else that may affect my entitlement to apply?

• Members and their partners must not have combined savings or, a rolling bank balance of more than £800.00. Savings of any other adults in the household do not apply
• You must not have received financial assistance from UNISON There for You during the previous six months
• Applications are limited to one per household
• Ensure you send all requested paperwork with the form or the application cannot be accepted

How do I apply?

• To apply for a School Uniform Grant simply:

• Download, print off and complete the short 2-page application form from our website www.unison.org/thereforyou (there is also a 2-page survey).
  or
  Contact Unison Direct on 0800 0857 857 for a form to be posted to you
• Provide us with evidence of your entire household income by sending copies of :
  • You and your partner (if applicable) last month’s payslip(s)
  • Last full month’s bank statements for all bank accounts held by you and your partner (if applicable)
• Submit the form along with the completed short survey by 15 July 2016.

• Post your application including all supporting paperwork to: UNISON Welfare, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY.

Where can I go for further help or advice?

There is a limited amount of funding in the school uniform grants programme and once it has been exhausted no further awards for the year can be made. However if you are facing unforeseen hardship it may be possible for you to apply to our general grants programme. We will let you know if this applies to you.

For further information, please see our web pages at www.unison.org/thereforyou, contact your Branch Welfare Officer or the There for You Support Team on 020 7121 5620 or email thereforyou@unison.co.uk. If you are experiencing difficulty with credit card and other consumer debts, please refer to our additional information at https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/services-support/there-for-you/debtline-support/, or contact our Debline direct on 0800 389 3302.