


Welfare Assistance Application Form
This form allows WM7015 members to apply for financial assistance during emergencies, hardship, or unexpected crises.
The maximum award available is £150.00 for Enhanced membership and £75.00 for Basic membership.
It ensures the branch can assess need quickly and fairly.
Membership payments need to be fully up to date, and members must have been part of the branch for at least 26 weeks to qualify. (maximum one claim in a 12-month period)
Request for Evidence of Hardship
Please provide evidence to support your application.
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
Submission Instructions
Please submit this form to the WM7015 Branch Secretary via email or via your workplace representative. Ensure all supporting evidence is included to avoid delays
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
By completing this application form you agree that any information about you, including any sensitive personal data such as information about your health or condition, can be held and used for the purposes of making a decision in regard to this application.
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.
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.
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Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
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Telephone: 0800 144 8848
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Website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
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Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
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Telephone: 0800 328 0006
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Website: https://capuk.org/
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National Debt line
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Telephone: 0808 808 4000
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Website: https://www.nationaldebtline.org/
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Step Change Debt Charity
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Telephone: 0800 138 1111
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Website: https://www.stepchange.org/
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Money Helper
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Telephone: 0800 011 3797
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Website: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
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Moneysaving Expert
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Telephone: +44 1234 567890
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Website: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
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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.
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Contact Telephone: 0800 709 007 (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.
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Telephone: 0121 569 3158
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Service Location: Oldbury Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 3DE
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Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
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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