Lightning Reach is a free online portal that helps people in financial hardship access grants and support schemes across the UK.
With access to over 2,500 support options, we connect you to help that’s tailored to your situation. This may include:
Charitable grants – One-off payments from charities that don’t need to be repaid.
Local authority support – Help with housing, council tax, school meals and emergency needs.
Benefits calculator – Check what you’re entitled to with our partners Inbest or Policy in Practice.
Household bills support – Access support for internet, phone and water bills.
Crisis support – Find food banks, emergency housing and mental health helplines.
Additional help – Advice from banks, debt services and other forms of non-financial support.
Jump to:
Support from partner organisations
If you meet the eligibility criteria based on your profile, you can apply directly to these organisations for support through the Lightning Reach portal.
Energy & utility support
Charis – Delivers Park Homes Warm Home Discount for park home residents.
- OVO – Offers financial support for OVO customers.
- YES Energy Solutions – Helps households access energy related support.
SHINE – Offers energy advice and financial support to London residents.
Fuel Bank Foundation – Provides financial support for energy costs and advice.
National Energy Foundation – Helps households access energy related support.
General support
Waythrough – Helps Waythrough service users with household & personal item costs.
Industry-specific support
Electrical Industries Charity – For people who have worked in the electrical or energy sectors.
Ben - Support for previous or current automotive industry employees.
ABTA LifeLine – Supports those who worked in the travel industry with an ABTA member.
Racing Welfare – For people in the thoroughbred racing and breeding industries.
NewstrAid Benevolent Fund – Supports people in newspaper & magazine sales or distribution.
The Salespeople’s Charity – Provides support to B2B salespeople in financial hardship.
BOSS Charity – Support for individuals in the business supplies industry.
Grand Prix Trust – Assistance for people working in Formula 1 & motorsports.
Railway Benefit Fund – Support for railway industry workers.
Rowland Hill Fund – Assistance for Royal Mail employees.
The Coal Trade Benevolent Association – Support for those in the coal trade.
ScotsCare (Royal Scottish Corporation) – Help for Scottish people in London facing hardship.
Teaching Staff Trust – For those with 5+ years in the education sector.
Chemical Engineers Benevolent Fund - Support for chemical/process engineers and their close family members.
- Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund – Financial and emotional support for RAF personnel, veterans & families.
- Royal British Legion – Supports members of the British Armed Forces, veterans & their families.
- Royal Naval Benevolent Trust – Assistance for Royal Naval ratings, veterans Royal Marines & families.
- Naval Children's Charity – Helping children (0-25) of Naval Service personnel.
General assistance for families/individuals
Lambeth Council – Provides housing and council tax hardship support.
St Giles & St George Education Charity – Supporting young people (0-25) in parts of Westminster & Camden.
Naval Children's Charity – Helping children (0-25) of Naval Service personnel.
The Royal Pinner Educational Trust – Supporting children of sales representatives.
Housing association support
The following support is primarily available to tenants of these housing associations.
General resources
For benefits advice, cold weather support, or debt management, visit:
Crisis support
If you need urgent help, check our guide: What to do in a crisis.
Register now
To check what you're eligible for, register on the Lightning Reach portal today: https://apply.lightningreach.org/signup
Need help?
Contact us at hello@lightningreach.org