Financial Assistance

UNISON Welfare provides financial assistance to UNISON members and their dependents in times of hardship. Confidential help and advice is provided and financial assistance may be available.

Members are required to meet our criteria and charitable objectives, so there is no guarantee that applicants will be offered financial help, but every year hundreds of members and their families do benefit in this way.

Help can be given in a variety of ways in direct response to the applicant's individual circumstances. This could be, for example, to help with household bills, ease debts or help with the cost of a much needed break. We can often help with the extra costs of coping with a disability or caring for a family member with special needs. These are just a few examples of circumstances where we can help. We are committed to improving and developing our services so that we can continue to respond to the changing needs of members and their families.

Applying for Financial Assistance

If you, or a colleague you know, is in need and you think we might be able to help, please contact your branch welfare officer or branch secretary in the first instance (contact us). They will help you to complete a financial assistance application form. Your application will be reviewed by a caseworker and a decision taken at a meeting of your local regional welfare committee. This process will normally take a few weeks but in exceptional cases we can reach a decision more quickly.

Unison Financial Assistance Application Form.pdf (12 pages, 93kb)