Financial
Help is available to individuals with a Masonic connection who are in long-term or temporary financial difficulty. Support is usually provided in the form of a grant or loan.
Assistance is most often given towards:
- Funeral bills: Essential costs relating to the provision of a funeral where no other funds are available.
- Essential daily living costs: Everyday expenses like gas and electric bills and food when an applicant is facing hardship.
- Minor home repairs: Redecoration, repairs and essential improvements like the widening of doorways and the installation of ramps for accessibility. Help may be given as a repayable loan.
- Reducing hardship faced following an accident, bereavement, redundancy, or other personal crisis: Help with everyday living costs and other essential expenses arising as a direct result of an event leading to short-term or unexpected financial difficulty. Although the Charities will not repay debts, they may be able to offer support with expenses going forward to avoid further debt building up or to help provide a basic standard of everyday living during the period when the debts are being repaid.
If the financial support you require is not listed then please contact us to discuss your case - help may be available.
Who can apply for financial support?
All applicants for financial support must have a Masonic connection and be experiencing a genuine financial need.
What are the eligibility criteria for financial support?
If you need financial support then the decision whether to help you will depend on what income and savings you have. Grants are not intended to replace available state benefits, which should be secured before an application is submitted. It is not possible to give details here of the rules used as they vary depending on the need and are reviewed on a regular basis.
We would encourage anyone requiring help with one or more of the needs listed above to contact Freemasonry Cares on 2020 035 60 90 for a confidential discussion. We will then be able to indicate if you are likely to qualify.
How to apply
Contact Freemasonry Cares on 2020 035 60 90 for a confidential consultation about your situation, including guidance on applying for support. Alternatively you can speak to your Lodge Almoner or the Provincial Grand Almoner.
Further information
For further information about the financial support available from the central Masonic Charities contact Freemasonry Cares on 2020 035 60 90.
Updated March 2020