The Trust can help you with:

• arrears of domestic gas / electricity charges
• other priority debts and essential household items ('white goods' only). You can apply for such help even if you do not apply for help with your gas / electricity charges. These are called Further Assistance Payments (FAPs)

On your application form you must explain the complete history of how and why a particular debt has arisen, how long you have had problems paying the bull and any particular hardship within your household.

FURTHER ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS

Payments for other debts will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and where you can show that clearing them will enable you to budget better for your current bills. You must attach a copy of your most recent bill or demand for payment showing the up to date balance on your account.

The following are some examples of the types of Further Assistance Payments you can apply for.

Council Tax Debts - Payment will only be considered in the most exceptional circumstances. Applications must always explain the history and current stage of enforcement.

Telephone Debts - Payments for these debts may be considered where there is a serious social or medical need for the phone to remain connected or to be reconnected. Such a need must be supported from evidence from someone like your GP, health visitor or social worker.

Household items - Payments will be considered for 'white goods' only (fridge, freezer, washing machine, dryer, electric cooker or microwave). We will need a letter from someone like a health visitor, social worker or advice worker confirming that you need it. If you need the item because of illness or disability in your family, you will also need to send us proof of that illness or disability. The Trust should not be seen as an alternative to Social Fund Community Care grants.

Bankruptcy Deposits / Debt Relief Orders (DRO) - Applicants must not have previously been declared bankrupt nor be a home owner. Payments will only be considered where a full list of debts is provided and advice has been sought from a professional money advice worker or intermediary. Bankruptcy applications will not be considered from those with assets above a value of £1,000 and total debts of less than £15,000. DRO applications MUST include the ID number generated by the Insolvency Service online application process.

Funeral expenses - A payment may be considered where outstanding funeral expenses are causing hardship, up to a maximum award of £1,000. Applications should indicate whether a payment has been received from the Social Fun towards those funeral expenses. Please tell us your relationship with the person who has died and why the estate of the deceased in unable to pay the funeral expenses.

Rent debts - Payment will only be considered in the most exceptional circumstances. Applications must always explain the history and current stage of proceedings.

The Trust cannot give you a loan or give you help with bills you have already paid or items you have already bought. The Trust cannot help you with the following:

• Any household item that is not a 'white good'
• Fines for criminal offences
• Overpayments of benefits
• Educational or training needs
• Business debts Debts to central government departments e.g. tax and national insurance
• Catalogues, credit cards, personal loans and other forms of non-secured lending
• Medical equipment, aids and adaptations
• Deposits to secure accommodation
• Holidays.