Grants to seafarers

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Life can be unpredictable, no matter how carefully you plan. Sudden illness, unexpected changes in circumstances, the loss of someone you love – all can cause financial and emotional distress.

Can I apply for a grant?

You can apply for a grant:

If you are a working merchant seafarer or fisher and have completed five years’ sea service.
If you are no longer at sea you need to have had at least five years’ sea service, or service which was cut short because of accident or illness.
If you are a dependant of a working or former merchant seafarer or fisher, who has completed five years’ sea service, such as a wife, husband, widow or widower, or child under 18.

What sort of things can I apply for?

Household items, such as cookers, fridges, washing machines and beds
Help with priority debts such as gas, electricity, water, Council Tax, and rent
Essential household maintenance such as window repairs, heating repairs, decorating and carpets
Disability aids or equipment, such as stair lifts, electrically powered vehicles (EPVs) including wheelchairs, riser/recliner chairs and adapted bathrooms
Urgent short-term living expenses
Respite breaks or convalescence
Clothing
Help with funeral expenses.

How does it work?

You, or the people supporting you, should contact us for help. If you already have a caseworker, we will work with them. If you don’t, we can arrange for one to contact, visit and support you through the application process.

Applying for grants

Where do the caseworkers come from?

We work through caseworkers from other organisations such as the Fishermen’s Mission, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) and Nautilus.

How do I apply?

Requests must be in writing, so you and your caseworker will need to complete an application form, which you can download here. We accept application forms from other organisations so check with us before filling in ours. If we can use an existing form, we’ll let you know to save you the extra time and effort.

I need help urgently. How long does it all take?

We deal with all applications promptly and urgent cases are always prioritised.

Will everyone know about it?

All requests for grants are confidential, and personal information is handled according to the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Disability aids

The Society provides grants for health-related items such as disability aids, stair lifts, electrically powered vehicles (EPVs), riser/recliner chairs and adapted bathrooms.

2021: Our grants in numbers

£204,649

in grants to institutions

£253,667

in grants to individuals

£458,316

total grant expenditure

£56,318

in Covid-19 grants

Also in this section

Coronavirus

If you are a seafarer and have been affected by Covid-19, we are here working hard to support you during the pandemic in a number of ways.

Seafarers Advice & Information Line

The Seafarers’ Advice & Information Line (SAIL) is an advice and information service provided exclusively for seafarers and their dependants.

SAIL offers free, confidential and impartial advice and information to working and former UK-based seafarers and their dependants. This now includes Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel. SAIL is run by Greenwich Citizens’ Advice Bureau on behalf of the Seafarers Hospital Society and has been helping seafarers since 1996.

The SeaFit Programme

The SeaFit Programme is a joint initiative from the Seafarers Hospital Society and The Fishermen’s Mission, working in partnership to deliver sustainable improvements in the health and wellbeing of fishers and their families around the United Kingdom.