Wellbeing Fund Criteria

You might be eligible to apply for a fund to help with purchasing essential items such as clothing, beds and white goods. For information about this service, click here. 

You will need to meet certain criteria, as below.

What can I apply for? Items you can apply for include:

• Beds & mattresses
• White Goods (microwave, washing machine, fridge etc.)
• Clothing
• Bedding

You can also apply for items not listed if it will improve or maintain your HIV health. You can discuss this with a Services Adviser at your appointment.

We cannot pay for ordinary living expenses from the Wellbeing Fund. Your application must be for a specific item or service.

We can only consider applications for items for children if the child is living with HIV.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible your disposable income (the amount you have after deducting the allowable expenses shown below) must be below the following thresholds:

Household Composition / Weekly/Monthly Level

• Single Person - £180.00 / £780.00
• Couple - £300.00 / £1,300.00
• Single parent and 1 child - £300.00 / £1,300.00
• Single parent and 2 children - £390.00 / £1,690.00
• Single parent and 3 children - £480.00 / £2,080.00
• Single parent and 4 children - £570.00 / £2,470.00
• Single parent and 5 children - £660.00 / £2,470.00
• Single parent and 6 children - £750.00 / £3,250.00
• Couple with 1 child - £390.00 / £1,690.00
• Couple with 2 children - £480.00 / £2,080.00
• Couple with 3 children - £570.00 / £2,470.00
• Couple with 4 children - £660.00 / £2,860.00
• Couple with 5 children - £750.00 / £3,250.00
• Couple with 6 children - £840.00 / £3,640.00

Allowable expenses (money you can take off your total income)

• Rent
• Council Tax
• Arrears of rent and Council Tax on formal arrangement.
• Personal Care Costs (which can be evidenced), e.g. paid for care services
• Mobility car costs
• Gas and electric arrears payment (where a payment plan is in place)

Example

If you are a single person and in receipt of universal credit

• Monthly income (universal credit) -£1,000           

Monthly allowable expenses

• Rent - £400
• Council tax -£25
• Gas and electricity arrears - £15

Total income after allowable expenses is £560 and this means the person can apply.

How does it work?

If your income is below the threshold you will be invited in for an appointment with a Services Adviser. At the appointment we will need to see evidence of your income and the allowable expenses you incur each month. This will take the form of bank statements for the previous two months and/or other relevant documents such as council tax bills.

If your appointment is over the phone, you must submit evidence via email before your appointment.

Please note: even if you meet the eligibility criteria, this does not mean you will receive the item you have applied for. Your application will be considered alongside all other applications received in the period.

How are decisions made?

Applications are considered on a bi-monthly basis. You will be notified if your application has been successful or unsuccessful by SMS message.

Can I reapply if I am unsuccessful?

If your application is unsuccessful and you still meet the eligibility criteria, you can reapply after six months.

What happens if my application is successful?

You will be contacted by a member of staff and they will either arrange for your item to be delivered, or where appropriate, you will be invited in to collect the item or voucher.

How soon can I apply after a successful application?

If you’ve been awarded an item you cannot reapply for two years. This is regardless of the item you have been awarded.

How do I apply?

To make an application to the George House Trust Wellbeing Fund you will need a one to one appointment with a Services Adviser. This can be face to face, by phone or online.

As part of the appointment, you need to bring evidence of your income and the Services Adviser will complete the rest of the application with you and discuss other George House Trust services.

Contact us by calling the office on 0161 274 4499.

I’m not eligible but I still need help. What should I do?

If you are not eligible, we can help you find support elsewhere. Please contact us to arrange an appointment with a member of our team. You can do this by calling the office on 0161 274 4499.