This guide walks you through applying for support schemes. If you need guidance on setting up a client’s profile and finding suitable Support Matches, refer to the client profile & support matches guide.


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Completing applications

When you’ve found support matches you wish to apply for, after filling out key sections of your client’s profile, you can begin the application process.


If you need guidance on completing the client’s profile to unlock the best support options, refer to these guides first:



To view and apply for support, scroll down on the client’s profile page to the Support Matches section. This is the quickest way to see available support options.


Support matches 

In the Support Matches section, you’ll see two types of matches:

  • Direct matches – These allow you to apply directly through Lightning Reach. Click "Apply" to start the application within the portal.
  • External matches – Clicking on "View" these will take you to the organisation’s website, where you can complete the application.



Alternatively, you can click "Client mode" in the top right-hand corner to access My Dashboard, then navigate to Support Matches. This step is optional as you can manage everything directly in Client manager.


Types of support matches definitions

Support schemes are divided into two main categories:


1. Direct matches:

  • Applications are completed through the Lightning Reach portal.
  • You’ll see a Apply button to start or resume an application.
  • The entire process is managed in the portal. 
  • You can keep track of applicants within the Client manager. For more details, click here.
  • Click here to learn more about applying to full matches. 


2. External matches: 

  • Applications are completed directly to the organisation. 
  • You’ll see a View button, which directs you to the organisation’s application page
  • You can track these applications manually within the Client manager. For more details, click here.

Applying to a full match

To get started, simply click Apply on the scheme you want to apply for. You'll then confirm eligibility and then start working through the application. 


Filling out the application

  • You can complete the sections in any order, but it’s recommended to start with the first section and work through them sequentially.
  • Click Continue at the end of each section to move to the next one automatically.
  • As you complete each section, a tick will appear to indicate progress.


The application process automatically pulls information from the client’s profile to save time. However, some applications may require financial information. This is to ensure that financial support is going to those who need it the most. Please see the following guide for more information providing financial evidence.


Once all sections are completed, you can submit the application. The support provider will then process it.


Keeping track of the submitted application 

You can track the status of a submitted application in Client Manager after selecting your client. For step-by-step guidance on where to find this, click here. 


You can see a breakdown of application statuses and what they mean here. 


Requests for more information

If additional information is needed from you on a submitted application, you will receive an email specifying the required details. The specific information can also be viewed within the application by selecting the individual section with a pencil icon next to it.


To provide the requested information, you'll first need to select your client within the Client manager. Click here to read the Client manager guide for further details. 


  1. Select your client within the Client manager, and then select to "Client mode"
  2. Click Continue to resume the application.
  3. Select the relevant section where information is needed, usually marked by a pencil icon to the left.
  4. The required details will be shown on a banner across the top of that section, as well as in the email you received. 


You can then provide the necessary information and submit the application. Once submitted, the status will update to Submitted.

Applying to an external (lite) match

If you want to apply for an external match, click the View button next to the scheme. This will take you to an external website where you can complete the application outside of Lightning Reach.


Having trouble with a link?
If you notice that a link isn’t working, please let us know by emailing hello@lightningreach.org.


Tracking lite match outcomes

To help you keep track of applications made externally, you can manually log them using a helpful tracking tool. This allows you to easily monitor applications for each client in one place.


For details on how to do this, refer to the recording award outcomes guide.

What types of support are available?

Support can include financial aid, energy support, household items, or other types of assistance tailored to your client’s profile. You can see a current list of support partners here. 

Support match screen when logging in as your client using Client mode

Accessing and navigating the Support Match screen 

When updating your client’s profile, support matches will appear automatically. As they appear, you can scroll down that screen to click to apply directly. Once you identify a support scheme you wish to apply for you can proceed to 


To access Support Matches once you've identified a support match from updating the client's profile:

  1. Open Client Manager (for guidance on logging in, click here)
  2. Select your client
  3. Click "Client mode" (top-right corner) to log in as them
  4. Go to "Support Matches"

Using the search bar to find support schemes

At the top of the screen, you’ll find a “What are you looking for?” search bar. This is the quickest way to locate a specific support scheme that was identified in Support Matches during the client’s profile setup.

  • Simply start typing the name of the organisation or the type of support needed, and the list will automatically filter to match your query.
  • If you don’t see results immediately, scroll down to view the filtered matches.



Saving or hiding matches

To save a match, click the star icon next to a match to save it for later. Saved matches will appear at the top of the page under the Saved section, making it easier to revisit them when you have more time.


To hide a match, click the eye icon to hide matches that are not relevant for your client. Hidden matches will no longer appear in the list.

Tip: If you’ve hidden a match by mistake, scroll to the bottom of the page to find the Hidden matches section. Here, you can unhide any previously hidden matches.

Benefits calculator

The benefits calculator helps assess which benefits a client may be entitled to claim. If this option was selected during profile setup, the calculator will be available in the Support Match screen. For details on enabling this feature, see the benefits check question guide.



Who is it for?
The calculator is suitable for most people permanently living in the UK but is not designed for individuals in hospital, residential care, on strike, or in prison. Calculations provide estimates based on the information entered. The tool is owned and operated by Policy in Practice.

Resetting eligibility for ineligible applications

For organisations that use both support workers and support schemes on the portal, there may be instances where a support worker applies to their own organisation's scheme and the application is marked as ineligible (e.g., due to errors in completing the form). In such cases:

  • The support worker has the ability to reset the eligibility of the application.
  • Resetting eligibility allows the support worker to start the application again.


Steps to reset eligibility:


1. Access the Client manager


2. Locate the Relevant Client

  • Inside the Client manager, select your client from the list.



3. Reset the Ineligible Application

  • In the client’s profile, click on Track Outcomes.
  • Within the Applications section locate the application marked as Ineligible.
  • Click the three horizontal dots next to the application, then select Reset (see screenshot).



4. Return to Find Support

  • Once the eligibility has been reset, you can click on the Find Support tab.


5. Reapply for the Support Scheme

  • From the Support Matches list, navigate to the support scheme and click Apply. 

What's next?

To keep track of your applications and manually record external scheme outcomes, we recommended reading the following the following guide on Tracking applications and outcomes.


Or return to the support worker guides index.


Need further assistance?

If you have any questions or encounter any difficulties, please don't hesitate to contact us at hello@lightningreach.org