Signposting Hub
A directory of help available to you, ranging from counselling to gambling support.
The RCN Foundation Benevolent Service is here to support you.
Whether you're a nurse, midwife or healthcare support worker, you can apply for hardship grant and you do not need to be a member of the Royal College of Nursing to apply. If you do receive a hardship grant, this will not need to be repaid.
We are currently assessing hardship applications received week commencing Monday 25 November.
Hardship grants during the holiday period
Please note, eligible applications submitted in December are likely to receive a decision in January 2025. Our grants portal will remain open to applications at all times over the holiday period and our team will review these, with grant awards and authorisations taking place from 4 January onwards.
If you enter details that suggest you are not eligible for a grant, our automatic eligibility checker will decline your application at an early stage, to make the best use of your time. Our signposting hub can direct you to other forms of assistance. If you realise you made a mistake on the form that resulted in your application being declined, you will need to start the form again from the hardship grants page, rather than going back and changing your answers on the same eligibility checker.
Failure to submit the above information will result in an even longer delay in processing your application.
Please note, if you have received an RCN Foundation hardship grant within the last 12 months, you are not eligible for another grant during this time.
If you are seeking the Royal College of Nursing Strike Fund, please go to The Strike Hub over on the RCN website.
If you have been suspended or removed from the NMC register, please email rcnfoundationbenevolent@rcn.org.uk attaching a copy of the allegations.
Before you start your application
You will need to upload the following documents. Failure to do so will result in significant delay to your application. If you have any queries, check our FAQ's.
Benevolent Grants Manager, Leah, tells us her top 3 tips you should follow before applying for an RCN Foundation hardship grant:
The last 2 months bank statements from all bank accounts you hold for you and your partner if applicable. These need to show:
- Name
- Address
- Full account number
- Sort code
- Transactions
- Running Balance
- Evidence of having worked as a nurse/midwife (UK or international)
- Evidence of 3 years’ service working as a healthcare support worker, maternity support worker or degree/foundation degree apprentice nursing student in a nurse supervised health care role (UK Only).
- If applicable, a full copy of your most recent Universal Credit statement (all pages) or evidence that you have claimed Universal Credit
- If you are looking for help with a specific cost or with essential arrears (rent/council tax) please provide documentation to show the cost or an up to date statement to show balance owed.
Additional information
Benevolent grants take several weeks to assess and pay, so they are not able to provide immediate support if you need money in the coming days. Other options are listed in our guides at the bottom of this page.
Once your application and documentation has been reviewed, you may be asked to provide further information and documentation. Please be sure to read all communication thoroughly.
If documentation is not provided as requested, it will delay your application.
If you live with a partner, we will ask for a Data Protection Statement to be signed by them. You will agree to our data protection policy as part of the online form you complete, but your partner needs to confirm they agree to this too. If you complete the partner form here and attach it your application, it will speed up the process.
Apply for a hardship grant
- If you think you may be eligible for a grant, please login here or register for your free web account here
- If you have difficulty completing the form, please email rcnfoundationbenevolent@rcn.org.uk or call 0345 408 4392.
Additional hardship support
We've put together a list of additional organisations across the UK that are here to support you
Financial wellbeing and management
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ShinyMind
The mental health and wellbeing app
Frequently Asked Questions
Hardship grants