This is a summary of assistance that is available to buy furniture. Your local Jobcentre Plus, Social Work Department, Citizens' Advice Bureau or local Advice/homelessness projects will be able to provide more information and may be able to help you fill in the forms. Getting help from an advice centre may increase your chance of getting a grant or loan.
The Social Fund is dealt with by Jobcentre Plus and falls into two categories - Community Care grants and Budgeting Loans. There is no guarantee of help as money is limited. You will also need to fill in an application form to check if you are eligible for a grant or loan.
Grants are aimed at helping people to live independently in the community. To be eligible you must be getting Income support, Jobseekers Allowance or Pension Credit or be able to get Income Support within the next 6 weeks. If your application is successful you will get a start-up grant to buy items for your new home. The amount given is discretionary and will depend on your circumstances, how much money is left in the Social Fund budget and the area that you live in. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus for more information.
If you have been on Income support, Jobseekers Allowance or Pension Credit you may be eligible for a Budgeting Loan but even if you are eligible, there is no guarantee that you will get a Loan. Budgeting Loans range from £30 to £1,000, they are interest free and have to be paid back in instalments. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus for more information.
A few Local Authorities offer vouchers that can be used to buy furniture for people in particular circumstances e.g. people moving out of homelessness. These vouchers may have to be spent at a particular furniture project or shop. For more information, contact your local Housing Department or Homelessness Unit.
Most Local Authorities have a number of temporary and permanent places in furnished tenancies. Rents for these tenancies are normally higher than for unfurnished tenancies, because the Local Authority often adds a service charge to pay for the furniture and appliances. For more information, contact your local Housing Department.