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Cost of Living Grants rollout
UPDATED IN MARCH 2025
In 2023, we ran a small pilot with local groups to look at how we can offer more help to people living with MS, during the cost of living crisis.
Our Health and Wellbeing Grants don’t cover daily living costs, and the process is designed for more specialised items. So we developed a framework to deliver small one-off grants towards essential cost of living needs.
Ten groups joined the pilot to test the process and impact of grants, awarding 47 grants totalling just over £15,000. Three of the groups secured additional funding specifically for giving these grants.
Our evaluation was positive, showing that people had urgent needs that could be supported through the grants. Groups found the grants easy to deal with, and applicants had a quick, short process.
These grants are simpler to deliver than Health and Wellbeing Grants, so we'd encourage groups that haven't felt confident to offer grants before to consider getting involved.
About the Cost of Living Grants:
- Grants of up to £350 towards essential needs including household bills, food and clothes, and white goods.
- A short application form, as this process needs less information than Health and Wellbeing Grants need.
- We don’t need a letter of support, just written confirmation the applicant has been diagnosed with MS.
- Grants can be paid directly to applicants, as lower grant amounts mean lower risk. And with the type of needs covered, it’s not practical to pay a supplier.
- Your Coordinating Team will then need to agree a budget and how you’ll fund and promote grants. Once agreed, we’ll give you the documents you’ll need to get started.
For any group volunteers who manage grants, these enquiries should now be directed to your Help Team Community Support Senior Officer or Community Support Manager who will be able to help. More complex grant queries will be supported by Lauren Sampson, our Community Resource Senior Manager.
The grants inbox is currently being monitored by Lauren, but please be aware this inbox will permanently close at the end of February 2026 when you will need to contact her direct.
