Women unable to pay TV & telephone charges helped by “The Society”

The Society for the Assistance of Ladies in Reduced Circumstances (The Society) steps in to help women across the UK who are trapped in poverty. When government benefits are not enough, applicants may be approved for supplemental funds each month to cover living costs.

What is offered?

What is offered is a supplemental payment made to each applicant who is approved for long-term support. This financial aid is provided to help ladies pay their monthly living costs. The expectation is that while housing benefit can cover the rent, the cost of electricity, gas or water can be hard to keep up with on a fixed or limited income, while telephone and TV are often forgotten entirely. There is help available for these costs.

It should be noted that The Society does not offer one-off emergency aid grants. What is provided is a long-term form of support so that women may receive the monthly support they need for their living costs so that they may rise above poverty.

Some grants cover a few living costs, such as a portion of utilities. What makes this opportunity stand out though is that The Society frequently pays the entire TV licence and telephone rental charges every month for clients. Very few charities in the UK offer this opportunity. A monthly grant recipient might see a TV licence and telephone charges paid while still receiving an extra few pounds to cover food or other bills.

Long-term support can be quite sizable for someone who is having a hard time affording their monthly expenses. The average support is £100 per month for each grant recipient, making this a critical lifeline for hundreds of women (471 in 2013 alone) who rely on this funding as a means for escaping the hardship of poverty. The goal of the charity is to help women maintain financial independence.

Who is eligible?

Women who live alone and have less than £8,000 in savings may be eligible. Government assistance is required, but those currently receiving aid from other charities may be excluded from this grant programme. Students and those working at least 16 hours per week may be excluded also.

Many current recipients were left in a difficult situation by a death in the family, divorce or even injury. Some rent while others own their home. All would face dire consequences if they did not receive some monthly aid.

How to apply

A helpline is maintained weekdays at 0300 3651886. The organisation prefers to speak with each applicant prior to making a decision, and therefore does not currently provide an online application form.

Ladies who would like consideration should be prepared to provide information about their circumstances and explain why they would be helped by the assistance. The trustees would like to know how the grant would be beneficial and how it could help each applicant better live on their own.