Welfare Assistance Application Form
How Welfare Assistance works
Welfare Assistance is about more than providing financial help
If you have suffered misfortune and are experiencing financial hardship, we will look at what has happened and what help you may need.
Where appropriate, this can include:
debt advice;
budgeting support;
welfare-rights support;
help identifying ways to improve your financial situation; and
short-term financial assistance where it is needed.
Financial assistance is intended to help with immediate hardship. It is not designed to replace longer-term debt advice, budgeting support or other help that may be available.
The main question is whether you or your dependant have suffered genuine misfortune that has resulted in hardship.
Why Welfare Assistance?
Welfare Assistance is designed to help members facing sudden misfortune, but the first priority is making sure you have the right advice and support to deal with debt, budgeting and any underlying financial pressures.
We will always look at how your situation can be improved through proper guidance, welfare rights support or debt‑advice services before considering a payment.
Financial assistance from the branch is a short‑term, one‑off contribution for immediate needs only, and is not intended to replace longer‑term budgeting or debt‑management support.
By getting the correct advice first, you are better protected, and any emergency help we provide can be targeted where it makes the most difference.
Unite WM7015 offers Welfare Assistance to support members through difficult moments — helping them steady their finances, guiding them toward expert advice, and offering a gentle helping hand when life feels overwhelming.
It’s a practical, short‑term support option for emergencies — the kind of moments when life hits hard and you need immediate help.
Everything we do is carried out within the Unite Rule Book and the financial controls that govern branch funds.
If you need assistance, tell us what’s happened, what the urgent issue is, and how we can contact you.
We want to keep the process simple, we just need a clear picture of your circumstances so the branch can assess your application properly.
If anything needs clarifying, an officer will get in touch.
Applications are reviewed quickly and handled confidentially by Unite WM7015 officers responsible for welfare decisions.
Support is discretionary, discretion will be exercised consistently, taking account of the member's circumstances, evidence provided, urgency of need, previous assistance, and the availability of branch funds.
This is not a general grant scheme or a replacement for statutory support — it’s targeted help for cases of genuine misfortune.
Welfare assistance is part of the wider package of Unite membership benefits: collective strength, workplace protection, legal support, and access to union‑run schemes that exist to help members when they need it most.
This branch programme is one of the ways Unite WM7015 puts those values into action.
If you’re struggling, reach out. We’ll look at your application and give you a straight answer.
Based on the Rule Book provision allowing branches**“to assist members or their dependants who have suffered misfortune”** and the EC guidance requiring branch funds to be used for legitimate union purposes, properly authorised, recorded and auditable.
Misfortune
Misfortune means an unforeseen or adverse circumstance causing significant hardship, loss, distress, or financial difficulty to a member or their dependant, whether arising from illness, injury, disability, bereavement, unemployment, family crisis, housing emergency, natural disaster, or other exceptional circumstances beyond the person's reasonable control.
Misfortune may include financial misfortune where the member can demonstrate that they have acted reasonably to manage their financial affairs and that the hardship is genuine, substantial and current.
Financial Misfortune
Financial misfortune exists where a member is unable to meet reasonable essential living costs or priority financial obligations from their available income and resources, resulting in a risk of significant detriment to themselves or their dependants.
Evidence might include:
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income and expenditure statements;
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benefit assessments;
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debt advice reports;
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evidence of arrears;
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medical or other supporting documentation.
This formulation is not a legal definition, but it is consistent with the ordinary meaning of misfortune, the Rule 17.4 wording allowing assistance for members who have suffered misfortune, and the EC guidance's requirements for accountable use of branch funds.
This form allows WM7015 members to apply for financial assistance where they or their dependants who have suffered misfortune.
Priority Debts
For the purpose of assessing hardship:
Priority debts are debts where non-payment may result in loss of liberty, loss of housing, loss of essential services, court enforcement, or other serious consequences.
Examples commonly include:
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rent or mortgage arrears;
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council tax;
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gas and electricity arrears;
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court fines;
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maintenance obligations;
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certain tax liabilities;
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other debts carrying significant legal or financial consequences.
Wilful Non-Payment
Wilful non-payment means a deliberate and conscious decision not to pay a debt or financial obligation despite having the means, opportunity, or reasonable ability to do so.
Wilful non-payment may be indicated where a member:
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knew a debt was due;
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had sufficient resources to meet all or part of that debt;
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chose instead to direct funds to non-essential expenditure or lower-priority liabilities; and
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failed to take reasonable steps to address the debt.
Interaction Between Misfortune and Wilful Non-Payment
Financial hardship resulting primarily from wilful non-payment of priority debts will not normally be regarded as misfortune.
However: Hardship may still be considered a misfortune where the failure to meet priority debts arose from circumstances substantially outside the member's control, including illness, incapacity, bereavement, reduced income, family breakdown, unemployment, mental health difficulties, or other exceptional circumstances.
Right of First Appropriation
Members who are overdrawn or worried that incoming money may be taken by the bank should be aware of the Right of First Appropriation.
This is a simple protection in UK banking practice that allows you to tell your bank how incoming funds must be used before the bank applies them to anything else.
If you give the bank a written instruction at the time the money is due to arrive, the bank must follow it.
This can prevent wages, benefits or welfare‑assistance payments from being taken to reduce overdrafts or internal debts.
Appropriation ensures essential bills such as rent, gas, electricity and food are protected, and helps stabilise your situation while you deal with hardship.
It does not remove your debts, but it does give you control over the purpose of incoming funds at the moment they enter your account.
Financial Assistance Eligibility
These rules are non-negotiable.
The scheme applies a number of firm financial eligibility limits to ensure that the branch's limited welfare funds are distributed consistently and fairly.
Where a member does not meet the financial eligibility criteria, including the applicable savings limit, they will not be eligible for a financial award from the branch.
This does not prevent the member from receiving welfare support, guidance, budgeting assistance, debt-advice signposting or information about other sources of help.
The branch's wider welfare approach therefore remains available to members even where a financial payment cannot be made.
Maximum Award of £150.00
The maximum amount that can be awarded through the WM7015 Welfare Assistance scheme is one hundred and fifty pounds.
A maximum of one successful financial award may be made to a member in any 12-month period. This is a fixed eligibility requirement and cannot be waived.
Any financial award that is accepted and paid to the member will count as the member's one successful financial award for the relevant 12-month period, regardless of the amount awarded.
Where an award is less than the £150 maximum, the difference cannot be claimed later or carried forward. The £150 figure is a maximum award and does not represent an annual entitlement.
An award declined before payment, or returned in full without being used, will not count as a successful financial award.
Where any part of an award is retained or used, the award will count as the member's successful financial award for that 12-month period.
This limit ensures the branch can support members in genuine misfortune while remaining financially responsible and compliant with Unite’s rules.
The award is intended as short‑term help to stabilise essential living needs such as food, utilities, travel or other unavoidable costs during a crisis.
It is not designed to resolve long‑term financial difficulties or replace ongoing income.
Officers must assess each application carefully and ensure that any award is reasonable, justified and clearly linked to the member’s immediate hardship.
The amount awarded, if any, will depend on demonstrated need, available branch funds and the circumstances of the case.
Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award.
It ensures the branch can assess need quickly and fairly.
To help monitor equality and ensure the scheme is applied fairly, we request that members complete the equality monitoring form as part of their application
The branch may periodically review anonymised welfare decisions to ensure the scheme is being applied consistently and fairly.
Any officer with a personal, family, workplace, or other significant connection to an applicant shall take no part in the assessment or decision.
26 Weeks of Branch Membership
Membership payments need to be fully up to date.
Members must have completed at least twenty‑six weeks of continuous Unite membership before any welfare assistance can be considered.
This safeguard ensures that support is directed to established members who contribute to the branch and are part of its community, rather than people joining only at the point of financial need.
The requirement also protects branch funds by providing a clear, objective threshold that can be defended under Unite’s financial rules and audit expectations.
Once the twenty‑six‑week period has been met, and the member is fully up to date with their payments, the application can be assessed normally. (maximum one claim in a 12-month period)
£1,000 Maximum Savings Limit
The purpose of the limit is fairness, consistency and full compliance with Unite’s financial rules.
The Welfare Assistance Scheme has a firm capital limit of £1,000 for financial assistance.
Members are expected to use their own available savings to meet essential living costs and immediate financial pressures before financial assistance from branch funds is considered.
A member with £1,000 or more in assessable savings or capital will not qualify for a financial award under the scheme.
The purpose of the capital limit is to ensure that limited branch welfare funds are targeted towards members experiencing genuine financial hardship who do not have sufficient financial resources available to meet their immediate needs.
Having £1,000 or more in assessable capital does not mean that the member has not suffered misfortune.
It means that, for the purposes of this scheme, the member does not meet the financial-hardship threshold for a financial award.
The capital cut-off applies only to financial assistance.
Members who do not qualify for a financial award may still receive appropriate welfare guidance, budgeting support, debt-advice signposting, welfare-rights information and information about other sources of assistance.
This avoids treating things such as:
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funeral funds;
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disability adaptation funds;
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money held on behalf of children;
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ring-fenced housing deposits;
as available resources. (this is not an exhaustive list)
Savings include:
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Bank balances
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Building society accounts
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Cash reserves
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Emergency funds
Branch funds shall not be utilised to assist a member or former member in obtaining legal advice, assistance or representation in respect of any court, tribunal or other proceedings brought against (or intended to be brought against) the Union.
Assessing Capital from Income
Regular income will not be treated as capital during the period for which it is paid.
Any amount remaining at the end of that payment period will be treated as savings/capital for the purposes of the £1,000 capital limit.
For example:
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weekly income becomes capital if it remains after the relevant week;
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fortnightly income becomes capital if it remains after the relevant fortnight;
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four-weekly income becomes capital if it remains after the relevant four-week period;
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monthly income becomes capital if it remains after the relevant monthly period.
This prevents newly received wages, benefits, pensions or other regular income from being treated as savings simply because they are present in an account when an application is assessed.
Branch Assessment Test
When considering assistance under Rule 17.4 we will consider
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Has the member suffered genuine misfortune?
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Is there evidence of current financial need?
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Have priority debts and essential living costs been considered before non-essential expenditure?
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Did the hardship arise from misfortune or from deliberate avoidance of known obligations?
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Would the available evidence support a finding that the member is experiencing genuine hardship arising from misfortune and that assistance would be consistent with the purpose of the scheme?
Applications will ordinarily be considered by at least two authorised branch officers. Any exception shall be recorded and justified.
Decision on your Application
Once your application has been considered, we will tell you the outcome.
If your application is approved, we will confirm the amount of Welfare Assistance awarded.
If your application is declined, we will explain the main reasons for the decision.
The decision will be based on the scheme's eligibility requirements, the circumstances of the misfortune, the financial need demonstrated and the information available when the application is considered.
Review or Appeal Process
Where an application is declined, the member may request a review within 28 days and provide additional supporting information for consideration.
The review will be considered by branch officers who were not involved in the original decision wherever reasonably practicable.
If your application is not approved and you believe the decision was based on incorrect information, relevant information was overlooked, or the Welfare Assistance Scheme was not applied correctly, you may ask for the decision to be reviewed.
You should explain why you believe the decision should be reviewed and provide any relevant information that you want the branch to consider.
Wherever reasonably possible, the review should involve an authorised officer who did not make the original decision.
The purpose of the review is to check that the application was considered fairly and that the scheme was applied correctly.
A review cannot waive or change the scheme's eligibility requirements.
If an applicant does not meet a non-negotiable eligibility requirement, a review can only consider whether that eligibility requirement was applied correctly.
The review decision shall be final.
Request for Evidence of Income and Expenditure
Please provide evidence to support your application.
WELFARE ASSISTANCE INCOME/EXPENDITURE FORM
This may include, but is not limited to:
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Medical letters or reports
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Notices of eviction or rent arrears
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Utility bills showing arrears
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Bank statements
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Letters from employers or government agencies
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Any other relevant documents demonstrating financial hardship
The branch will only request evidence that is reasonably necessary to assess the application. Lack of documentary evidence will not automatically result in refusal where circumstances make such evidence difficult to obtain, officers may consider alternative evidence.
Submission Instructions
Please upload your completed Welfare Assistance Income & Expenditure Form and any supporting information using the secure supporting‑documents link.
This is the fastest and safest way for the branch to receive your information, and it allows you to attach any evidence in one place so your request can be assessed without delay.
Email or post can still be used if absolutely necessary, but these alternatives take longer to process and may slow down the support you receive.
Unite WM7015 Sandwell Local Authority Branch
Contact Details
Email: branch@unitewm7015.co.uk
Website: unitewm7015.co.uk
Address:
c/o Branch Secretary,
1st Floor,
Smethwick Council House,
High Street,
Smethwick,
West Midlands,
B66 3NT
Declaration
I understand that the personal information provided in this form and any supporting evidence will be used to assess and administer my Welfare Assistance application.
This may include special-category personal data, such as relevant information about my physical or mental health.
I confirm that I have been given access to the Welfare Assistance Privacy Notice, which explains how my information will be used, protected, retained and shared, and explains my data-protection rights.
If the Branch makes a grant towards the purchase of any equipment, goods or services, this is on the basis that the Branch will have no responsibility or liability for the safety or suitability or otherwise.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that any purchase is suitable and to take any appropriate precautions.
I declare that the particulars shown in this application form are accurate and give a true account of my/our financial position.
I understand that WM7015 may contact me for further information and that assistance is granted at the discretion of the branch.
In accordance with Rule 17.4 Branch funds shall not be utilised to assist a member or former member in obtaining legal advice, assistance or representation in respect of any court, tribunal or other proceedings brought against (or intended to be brought
against) the Union.
Additional Support Links
General Data Protection Regulations
Unite the Union is committed to ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of members, potential members and our website visitors. This policy sets out how we will treat your personal information.
Unite the Union is the “Data Controller” of your personal data; our Head Office address is:
Unite the Union,
128 Theobald’s Road,
London,
WC1X 8TN
Reference to personal data may include any information which directly or indirectly identifies you.
This may include: your name, address, contact details, date of birth, National Insurance number and bank details.
The personal data you supply to us will be held in electronic and/or manual format.
The processing of personal data by Unite the Union will be in line with the Data Protection Act and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
This policy reflects our duties to use information fairly, keep it secure, make sure it is accurate and keep it up to date.
Please read the following policy to understand how your personal information will be treated.
It may change from time to time, so please check back periodically. This policy was last updated on 6 October 2025.
Unite Resources
Legal Services
Unite Legal Services offers free will writing to all members who have been part of the union for at least 13 weeks.
They also provide support for personal injury claims and free web-based legal advice.
Contact Telephone: 0800 709 007 (Unite Legal Services)
Website: Unite the Union Legal Services | Unite Legal Services
For more information on the free will service and personal injury claims, please visit the website or contact Unite Legal Services directly.
Sandwell Council Welfare Rights Team
For residents living in Sandwell, the Welfare Rights Team provides advice and support to help access welfare benefits and entitlements.
They offer assistance through online, telephone appointments, and home visits.
Telephone: 0121 569 3158
Email: welfarerights_team@sandwell.gov.uk
Service Location: Oldbury Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 3DE
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Website: Sandwell Welfare Rights
Sandwell Council Crisis and Resilience Fund
The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) supports Sandwell residents facing financial emergencies or hardship.
It provides timely help with essentials such as food, energy, housing costs, and household items.
More information and application details can be found here:
Sandwell Council Crisis and Resilience Fund