Benefits and grants

Help with benefits and grants

Life as a freelancer in the film, TV and cinema industry can bring some unique financial concerns, but you may be eligible for additional support. We’re here to help and have some useful information, tools, and resources that can help you understand what benefits you may be entitled to, and what grants you might be able to apply for.

Type of Benefits

There are several different types of benefits that you may be entitled to, including:

- Work-related benefits if you’re working, self-employed, or you’ve lost your job
- Benefits if you have children, such as Child Benefit
- Support with housing costs, including Universal Credit and Support for Mortgage Interest
- Benefits if you’re sick, disabled or a carer, such as Personal Independence Payment
- Help with costs in later life if you’re around or above retirement age, such as pension credit

Benefits Tools

Some benefits, like Universal Credit, can be tricky to navigate if you’re a freelancer. Luckily, there are free tools and resources that can help with the different application processes,

- Our friends at MoneyHelper have created a useful guide on how to apply for Universal Credit if you’re self-employed
- Turn2Us provide a free and confidential Benefits Calculator to help you find out what benefits you’re entitled to so you can make a claim
- Citizens Advice can provide support in the early stages of your Universal Credit claim through their Help to Claim Advisers
- Several organisations including Mental Health and Money Advice and Citizens Advice provide specific information and advice on disability benefits

Benefits Calculator

Check your benefit entitlement?

Use our free and confidential Benefits Calculator to find out what benefits you are entitled to claim. In the last year over 2 million calculations have been made by people, like you, looking for information they deserve and need.

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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 provide a helpful grants search where you can search for charitable grants that are relevant to you by entering a few basic details.

Stop-gap grants

The Film and TV Charity can also provide immediate support to help manage urgent financial needs. These one-off grants could help with unexpected costs or allow you to access a career opportunity when lack of financial capital is holding you back.

Our grants are usually up to £750, and with a quick and straightforward application process they can provide immediate financial support when it’s needed the most. To be eligible to apply you must work behind-the-camera in film or television in the UK.