crisis fund

starlite_2 · 1 November 2004 at 2:45AM

hi has anyone applied for an emergency loan from the social fund? i am a student and there was a delay with my loan application and i have now entirely run out of money. my university cant help as i havent paid my fees yet . i am looking for advice on how long these things take to come through and how much i am likely to get (that is assuming they give them to students)i heard somewhere tthat you have to be on benefits to claim, but this seems very unfair as i have a lower income than anyone on benefits at the moment (i.e, nothing) please help if you can!

sarahlouise210 · 1 November 2004 at 2:54AM

Anyone can apply for a crisis loan but you have to think how are you going to pay it back! To qualify your "health or safety" must be at risk.. so if you are starving your health may suffer!! Not sure how long it would take but imagine pretty quick as they are issued in crisis

rushnowt · 1 November 2004 at 3:02AM

i'm sure i've read somewhere too that you need to be in receipt of i.s etc to apply for this, but theres no harm in trying . good luck

sarahlouise210 · 1 November 2004 at 3:09AM

You do not have to be in receipt of any benefits... go to https://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/crisis_loans and all will be explained.... sorry computer novice I do not know how to past the link ::)

rushnowt · 1 November 2004 at 3:15AM

Thankyou for correcting me, it should be available to all who needs it too, i've not been in receipt of benefits for a long time so wasn't entirely sure of the procedures, thanks again for pointing it out and posting the address, i'm sure it will help many people. ;D

starlite_2 · 1 November 2004 at 3:37AM

thanks, i will go in tomorrow. i can give them a post dated cheque as i know i have my student loan money coming in within a month. seems reasonable that they would give them to anyone as there is nowhere else i can go for help, do you think they would cover my rent too or is it just for food etc

Fran · 1 November 2004 at 4:33AM

sarahlouise,

To post a link on a reply like this you need to include http://

Your link should be http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/crisis_loans.asp

ami,
The people with the best advice here would be at your college as there will be many people each year in your situation.

mzmoneypenny · 1 November 2004 at 1:55PM

I used to work in the Benefits Agency ages ago. There's nothing stopping you applying for a crisis loan but be prepared for a grilling and then probably a nil decision.

We used to have to ask the customer if they could borrow money from any other means. ie college/uni hardship funds/bank overdraft/friends/family etc etc. Sometimes the customers had to provide proof from the college/uni and bank that they could not get help before a crisis loan was considered.

Also, from what I can remember, if it was a single customer with no dependants, the decision was inevitably a refusal (especially if the customer was not in receipt of a 'qualifying' benefit such as IS or JSA(IB)).

Sorry to be full of doom and gloom - but don't want you to waste your time unnecessarily! If you do go for it, take proof from your bank and college/uni as mentioned before.

Only other suggestion I can offer is, if you can give the Social Fund a post dated cheque, what about using the cheque in one of these cheque cashing establishments? They usually charge a small commission to do so. Look here for details :http://www.cashgenerator.co.uk/

Good luck!

Fran · 1 November 2004 at 2:18PM

I would still think the answer lies at your college, the Students Union should be able to advise you.

You mentioned your rent too, that has got to be sorted out with the landlord if you are unable to pay. Are the fees coming out of the loan or from a different source (ie. can that be chased up so that college can help). Have you got a family member or friend that would take a post dated cheque rather than go somewhere which will cost you? Can you get some kind of interim payment off the loan company? Can you get a bank account that will allow you to overdraw? Can you get some work that pays weekly?

starlite_2 · 1 November 2004 at 3:55PM

thanks for all the advice guys, but when i went to the social security office today i was well and truly swallowed up by the bureocracy monster. the remarkabley disinterested woman at reception told me that only people on benefits can claim, which i protested having read the above links, but to no avail. she told me i would have to apply for benefit too, even though i made it clear i was in full time educationand therefore was not entitled to and didnt want jsa. grrr...so here i am with forms for incoome support and the crisis fund and wondering what to do.(oh yes...and apparatntly 'crisis ' fund appointments have to be booked in advance, so even if they do let me claim i cant see anyone until thursday....)
grrr...sorry for the rant but i hate this kind of thing.....

sarahlouise210 · 1 November 2004 at 4:00PM

The person you spoke to obviously was not entirely fully trained! Perhaps these people should have access to(and use) their own websites! It makes you wonder if we should all book regular appointments just in case we have a crisis!

crisis fund

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