What to do when you need emergency help with essential purchases

June 30, 2022 • Chris Bardsley

If you’re struggling to cover things like your weekly food shop, items you need for the home, or even to find ways to pay your rent, emergency support is available for the essentials. Charitable grants and organisations, government benefits, flexible loans and plenty more options are available to help you through difficult times.

In this blog, we’ve put together a list of places you can find financial support in the UK. We cover everything – from borrowing whilst on Universal Credit to visiting a food bank.

Charitable Grants

Charitable grants are a great option for those on a low income – especially those who don’t have access to public funds or welfare benefits. Charitable grants come in all shapes and sizes, and they don’t need to be paid back. Every grant has a set of eligibility criteria you must meet to secure the funding.

Turn2Us offer a tool to help you find grants quickly and easily. Just fill in a few details and look at what’s on offer for your situation.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is an employment and support allowance for people who need financial help. You may be unable to work, out of work or on a low income. You’re also able to borrow money while receiving Universal Credit payments.

Here at Fair for You, getting a loan whilst being on Universal Credit is one of our most frequently asked questions. We understand that sometimes you need an extra helping hand, so whether you’re struggling to buy food or replace your fridge freezer, a Fair for You loan could be available to help you out. As long as you have a stable regular income (this can include Universal Credit or other benefits) and a bank account to make your repayments from, you are eligible to apply for a loan from us. Just head to our eligibility checker to see whether a Fair for You loan is an affordable option for you right now.

Food Banks

If you’re struggling to buy food and other household items, your local food bank may be able to support. They will usually provide vouchers or a parcel for several meals, toiletries and cleaning supplies. They even offer small top-ups of credit for gas or electric pre-payment meters.

You must have a referral form from one of the following to access the food bank:

  • Jobcentre Plus
  • Your social worker
  • A children’s centre
  • Your local authority
  • Probation workers
  • A medical professional
  • A trusted advice provider, like StepChange – check out their website here for more information on emergency help

Help from your housing provider

If you’re on a low income and cannot afford furniture, you can find help in a number of places. Some social housing providers offer furnished tenancies, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing furniture on top of your rent – and your landlord will repair or replace pieces that get broken. Just remember that not every social landlord offers furnished tenancies, and you will need to take extra care with the furniture.

You could also try Reuse Network’s search tool to find preloved furniture services in your area. This is included as part of the End Furniture Poverty website too, which can be found here, and provides signposting to organisations that can support those unable to access the furniture and appliances they need.

Alternatively, Fair for You can offer flexible finance for the essentials

We know how difficult it can be to get essentials for your home whilst keeping on top of your other commitments, particularly with costs seemingly rising across the board – not to mention the increases in energy prices.

As a not-for-profit alternative to high-cost credit, when offering finance, we only have one thing in mind – you, our customer (or hopefully soon-to-be customer!). We offer flexible finance that fits around your budget, even if you’re currently claiming Universal Credit or other benefits. Just listen to what Anne, a long-term customer of ours, had to say:

“As I receive benefits and can’t afford to buy one item out right I found this company on Facebook and through I give it try to my amuse they said yes to fridge freezer I was so happy the staff are so helpful and friendly and it’s up to you how you pay it back weekly or fortnightly. Pay it back quickly or take longer there’s a plan to suit everyone’s budget. I am on my 5th item and couldn’t be happier. Fair for u come highly recommended. Give them a try and you won’t be disappointed. 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

We’re proud to have customers from a huge range of financial backgrounds, and if you think we could help, we encourage you to check if you’re eligible for a Fair for You loan by clicking here.

That’s exactly what Claire did ahead of her loan:

“I was desperate for a gas cooker as out of the blue I had a gas leak and I could no longer use my gas cooker. In a panic, I searched the internet for help as I have 3 children and was only cooking with a microwave. I stumbled across fair for you and only being on benefits, I was sceptical. But they have helped me so much and I couldn’t thank them enough!! I have chosen a nice gas cooker which is very affordable. It would be nice to use fair for you again if I’m ever in trouble.”

Find Out More

If you or anyone you know is struggling to afford the essential items they need to furnish their home or support their family, then Fair for You is here to help.

We look to offer essential goods to those on a variety of incomes, but in a way, that’s different to the companies that set out to do so for massive profit at your expense. Instead, Fair for You is on your side, our focus is on people, not profit.

Check out our online shop to view our products for sale, including beds, laptops, sofas, dining room furniture, children’s beds, hoovers and much more.

Please note we’ve used links to external websites. Although we make every effort to ensure these links are accurate, up to date and relevant, Fair for You Enterprise CIC cannot take responsibility for pages maintained by external providers. Views expressed on external sites we link to are not necessarily those of Fair for You Enterprise CIC.

If you come across any external links that don’t work, we would be grateful if you could report them to the web content team.

The content of this blog does not constitute personal financial advice, and the views expressed in it are those of the contributor or author, which may not necessarily represent or reflect the views expressed by Fair for You Enterprise CIC.

This entry was posted in Finance, Health and Wellness, Buying Guides, Home Appliances and Blog