The Step into Spring Grant will launch at 12 noon on 19 March 2026 for 24 hours. Further information on how to apply and the eligibility criteria is below:
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a UNISON member and have paid at least four weeks’ subscriptions as of 19 March 2026. Subscriptions must be up to date.
- Not have received a grant from UNISON Welfare since 19 September 2025, excluding the Seasonal Food Fund
And EITHER:
Be on a low income, meaning a net household income* of no more than £28,205/year (£2,350.42/month)**.
OR:
Be in receipt of means-tested benefits. This includes:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Child and/or Working Tax Credits
- Pension Credit
- Means-tested Jobseekers Allowance
- Means-tested Employment Support Allowance
- Income Support
* Net household income includes your monthly take-home pay from work (plus your partner’s, if you have one), any income from child maintenance payments, any income from student finance loans or bursaries, pensions (excluding Pension Credit), income from savings and any income from people living with you (e.g. adult children or lodgers).
** Where members either have no recourse to public funds and their household income is above £28,205/year an assessment will be undertaken to see whether they would be eligible for benefits if they did have recourse to public funds so that they are not disadvantaged.
What can I get help with?
If you’re a UNISON member on a low income (see above), you can apply for a £30 voucher per qualifying person in your household towards the cost of shoes. You can apply for a voucher for yourself, your partner and your dependent children (if applicable).
We want to make this fund go as far as possible and help as many members as we can. Please only apply if you are in financial difficulty.
When can I apply?
Applications will open for 24 hours from 12 noon on Thursday 19 March.
How do I apply?
All applications should be made online. Eligible members will be chosen at random from the applicant pool and contacted to submit supporting documents. Due to limited funds and in anticipation of high demand, we regret that we will not be able to help all members who apply.
If you are unable to complete the application due to an accessibility issue, please email: s2s@unison.co.uk or call UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.
What if I don’t know my membership number?
We cannot accept applications without a membership number. This can often be found at the bottom of any emails you have received from UNISON.
How will you contact me?
All applicants will receive an automated message confirming your application has been received. If this doesn’t show in your ‘inbox’, please check your ‘junk/spam’ folders.
If I have recently received a grant can I apply?
If you have received a grant from UNISON Welfare since 19 September
2025 (other than the Seasonal Food Fund) you will not be eligible to apply for a Step into Spring grant.
Any questions?
Contact us via email: s2s@unison.co.uk
For an overview of all There for You services please visit There for You (UNISON Welfare) | Member support and services | UNISON National