Benevolent Fund

What is it?

The Benevolent Fund exists to provide assistance to members and their families who are experiencing severe financial difficulty. Currently 2p per week of each members contributions is being invested in the Benevolent Fund.

How to get it….

Application forms can be downloaded from the website and are also available from branch secretaries, Regional offices and the Member Service Centre.  The applicant should complete the form and send it to the Member Service Centre.

Guidance Notes for Applicants Completing Benevolent Fund Claim Forms

We understand that it may not be easy for you to make this claim, and we want to do all we can to assist you in your time of need, so if you follow these guidelines it will make your job easier, and help the Benevolent Fund Committee (BFC) to make an informed decision, and get help to you as quickly as possible.

  • The Benevolent Fund has been set up to assist members who are in – ‘severe financial hardship’, and the Fund is available on the basis of donations agreed by the BFC, to members with at least one years membership, the claim has to be on an individual basis, and will be addressed specifically in relation to a members personal and family circumstances. Collective claims will not be considered, and please note the claim is not available to replace loss of wages, and is not available when other union benefits apply.
  • The application form must be submitted to Community, Member Service Centre, Carpet Weavers Hall, Callows Lane, Kidderminster, DY10 2JG.  An official will then contact you to discuss the application.
  • Provide as much information as possible on the application form. The more information the BFC has regarding your circumstances, the clearer they can be in considering your claim, and the more chance you have of a successful outcome.
  • You MUST be specific regarding the amount you are requesting, what it is for and the reason why.  You should also provide details of your monthly household income and expenditure, details of any savings, assets and debts.
  • Be specific about other organisations you have approached for financial assistance and money management advice:
  • Who are they?
  • How have they responded? Is any solution pending from that source?
  • Why have you not applied to any other funding bodies?
  • Your claim to the union is very much last resort, you must provide evidence of all reasonable efforts made to claim from other relevant organisations (local authorities, benefits etc.)

Joe Mann MBE

Deputy General Secretary, on behalf of the Benevolent Fund Committee

Download the Benevolent Fund Application Form (PDF)Download the Benevolent Fund Application Form (PDF)