Benefits and welfare support
Supporting your financial wellbeing
Working behind the scenes in the film, TV, and cinema industry can come with unique financial challenges, especially for freelancers. If you’re worried about your income, it’s important to know that you might be eligible for additional support. We’re here to help you navigate the system.
In this section, you’ll find useful information, tools, and resources to help you understand which benefits and grants you may be eligible to claim.
Check your benefits eligibility
Research shows that over £18 billion in benefits go unclaimed each year in the UK. In the last year, more than two million benefit calculations have been made by people looking to check their entitlements.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for:
- Work-related benefits if you’re working (including self-employed) and your household income is below £40,000.
- Benefits if you’re not in work due to unemployment or other reasons.
- Child Benefit payments if you have children.
- Housing support, such as help with mortgage, rent, or Council Tax relief.
- Disability benefits or support if you’re sick or a carer.
- Retirement benefits if you’re around or over retirement age.
Use our free benefits calculator
Use our confidential Benefits Calculator to check which benefits you may be eligible for. This simple tool helps you navigate the system and understand the financial support available to you.
Need Help?
If you have questions or need further guidance, reach out to us for support. Our team is here to assist you in making the most of your benefits and welfare entitlements.
Grants
There are many charitable organisations that offer non-repayable grants. Eligibility differs from charity to charity, and it usually depends on personal circumstances, but in general you will have to be in financial need or on a low income.
Turn2Us provides a helpful grants search where you can look for charitable grants that are relevant to you just by entering a few basic details.
Grants from the Film and TV Charity
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Stop-Gap Grant
Grants of up to £750 open to people from all backgrounds to help manage urgent financial needs or to support with unexpected costs in a crisis.
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Sir Horace Ové Grant
Grants of up to £500 to help Black and Global Majority people to access opportunity and navigate barriers to career progression.
