Guidelines and FAQs

How to apply for a grant

Please read these guidelines carefully and apply only if your work falls within our guidelines.

Who can apply?

Applications, which can now be made online, can only be made by the recommending probation officer or social services case worker:

What will we fund?

We understand the importance of giving prison leavers the chance to start anew. Our grants cover essential items such as everyday clothing, job interview attire, work clothes, training course fees, and tools of trade. We also provide grants for household equipment, including kitchen appliances and utensils, white goods, furniture and furnishings and bedding.

Additionally, we recognise the significance of identification documents to open a bank account and enable applications for benefits, so we provide funding for provisional driving licences or Citizen Cards.

If you are applying for a grant to support a training course, please make sure to include all relevant details about the course in your application. This is a mandatory requirement that will help us evaluate your request and determine the level of support we can provide.

We will fund applications for prison leavers who reside within Greater London, which we define as being within the M25.

Our grants are typically in the range £150 – £250, but we do make grants for larger amounts for household goods, or we may fund (or part-fund) education and training courses up to £1,000.

What won’t we fund?

  • Prison leavers living outside the M25
  • Passports or full driving licences
  • Mobile phones, smartphones or laptops
  • Cash requests

How to apply

  • All applications should be made online. For the time being we will continue to accept applications by post, but we intend to phase these out as soon as possible.
  • Probation Officers should use the link provided via your intranet.
  • If you are submitting a written application form, a stamped or franked self-addressed envelope for the relevant office is required with each application and all subsequent correspondence.
  • All written applications should be typed or hand printed in block capitals.
  • An online application cannot be submitted unless all questions are answered.
  • On no account may the link to the application form be given to clients.
  • Failure to apply any of the above instructions will render an application void.

Once we have received your application form, the process is as follows:

  1. Applications received are logged by the Secretary.
  2. The Administrator evaluates each case for eligibility and processes them (usually within 2 weeks).
  3. A cheque with corresponding paperwork requesting receipts is sent to the probation officer or caseworker.
  4. Unsuccessful applications are notified.

When to apply

Applications for timely help can be made as soon as possible after release from prison or other sentence, or when a funding need subsequently arises whilst under the supervision of the Probation Service or other social welfare agency.

The Fund immediately evaluates applications, and grant money for the successful applicant is handled by the recommending Service only.

Further advice and information

For further advice and information about applying for a grant, or if you would like the link for the online application form to be sent to you by email, please contact: