The Edinburgh Trust gives emergency fuel and utility grants

Residents of Edinburgh are served by a charitable trust that can provide emergency aid to those who find themselves dealing with an immediate financial need. The Edinburgh Trust can help provide a one-off grant for fuel costs, electricity or water.

What is offered?

A specific need must be identified in the grant application. This need could cover a number of essential items. A household experiencing difficulty in keeping up with utility bills could receive a single payment to be used towards the arrears and current month’s charges.

When faced with a high water bill or delinquent electricity, this assistance can be a major gift to a struggling household. It can prevent a disconnection and even include current charges to allow a person to finally catch their breath.

Grant recipients are not limited to just utilities. Many living costs may also be included in the application if it is necessary to help a client get ahead.

This is not a recurring grant. Instead, a single payment may be authorised to cover the need identified in the application. The approved amount will depend largely on available funds and the decision of staff on the merits of the application. Average grantees receive at least 300 quid to put towards their needs, making this a huge opportunity for someone facing a financial shortfall.

Who is eligible?

Funds are only approved to residents of Edinburgh. Applicants must permanently live within the Edinburgh Council local area. Previous grantees include those who were homeless or unemployed as well as those suffering from physical or mental disability. Others just had a run of bad luck. All indicated that the funds would make a big difference in their well being.

The entire household must be classified as very low income. This means that total household income cannot exceed £16,000 annually. Furthermore, savings cannot be higher than £10,000. These limits ensure that the funds are only allocated to those households who most need the aid.

How to apply

Potential applicants may submit an enquiry to the Edinburgh Trust, which is administered by Elizabeth Finn Care. Questions may be directed to 0131 243 2796.

An initial enquiry form may be completed. Clients who are selected to apply will be provided with an application pack that must be completed in full and submitted for consideration. Documentation of the purpose may include delinquent utility bills or cost estimates necessary to fulfill the stated need.