Get help with the cost of new shoes

For lots of people, the cost-of-living crisis leaves little left over after food shopping and bills have been paid.

Yet many children have grown out of the school shoes that were bought for the new school year, and parents are forced to make them last the final term of the year to try and save on costs. Adults are also putting away their winter shoes as the days get longer and the weather improves. UNISON’s charity for members has a limited fund available to assist with the cost of spring footwear.

What help can I get?

If you’re a UNISON member on a low income (see below), you can apply for a £30 voucher per qualifying person in your household towards the cost of shoes. You can apply for a voucher for yourself, your partner and your dependant children (if applicable).

We want to make this fund go as far as possible and help as many members as we can. Please only apply if you are in financial difficulty.

Am I eligible to apply?

Applicants must:  

• Be a UNISON member and have paid at least four weeks’ subscriptions as of 20 March 2025. Subscriptions must be up to date.
• Not have received a grant from There for You since 20 September 2024

And EITHER:

Be on a low income, meaning a net household income* of no more than £26,413/year (£2,201.08/month).

OR:

Be in receipt of means-tested benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Child and/or Working Tax Credits
• Pension Credit
• Means-tested Jobseekers Allowance
• Means-tested Employment Support Allowance
• Income Support

*Where members have no recourse to public funds and their household income is above £26,413/year, an assessment will be undertaken to see whether they would be eligible for benefits if they did have recourse to public funds so that they are not disadvantaged.

How do I apply?

Applications should be made online. Applications will open on this page for 24 hours from 12 noon on Thursday 20 March. 

APPLY HERE

Eligible members will be chosen at random from the applicant pool and contacted to submit supporting documents.

Due to limited funds and in anticipation of high demand, we regret that we will not be able to help all members who apply.

If you are unable to complete the application due to a disability access need, please email S2S@unison.co.uk or call UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.

What if I don’t know my membership number?

We cannot accept applications without a membership number. This can often be found at the bottom of any emails you have received from UNISON.

How will you contact me?

All applicants will receive an automated message confirming your application has been received. If this doesn’t show in your inbox, please check your junk/spam folders.

If I have recently received a grant can I apply?

If you have received a grant from There for You since 20 September
2024, unfortunately you are not eligible to apply for this grant.

Any questions?

Please contact us via email: S2S@unison.co.uk