Introducing Lightning Reach
2023 - February, Our news
We've teamed up with Lightning Reach, which aims to enable people in financial hardship to find and apply for a personalised range of support from multiple providers.
What’s more, it’s all available through a single portal when they need it, with just one application.
You can directly apply on the portal, in the convenience of your home, at your own leisure. You also don't need to inform us. The service is completely free to use. The Lightning Reach portal is a simple online website that allows you to access financial support, including grants and social tariffs from multiple support providers.
They understand the financial pressures many people are currently facing. No matter what the reason, they are there to help you find and access the support you need to get on the road to financial recovery.
How does it work?
An easy 3-step process to find and apply for support from a single portal. It’s free, secure and takes just minutes to complete.
Sign up
Create a one-time profile which can be used to access a range of support.
Support Match
Check if you are eligible to apply for support from one or more of our providers.
Apply
Provide supporting evidence and submit your application for available support.
Claire's Story
The Lightning Reach portal meant that I was just a click away from getting an answer and the money we needed to get through this difficult period.”
Two weeks before the first lockdown in 2020, Claire split up from her husband and had the prospect of juggling work with caring for her two young boys. Already in crisis, in Autumn 2020, Claire was made redundant. Since then, her family has had to survive on a fluctuating and inadequate universal credit entitlement.
With her family’s financial situation on a cliff edge after months without hope, a broken washing machine prompted her to seek charitable support. Through the Turn2us Grants search tool, she was able to quickly process a grant application and soon learnt that she would be awarded a flexible cash grant.
In order to receive the funds, she would need to evidence her financial situation – which was made easier and quicker through the Lightning Reach platform. She was surprised and delighted at how quick, easy and secure the process was. No need for printing or endless pages of forms.
Hours later, the grant award was approved, and Claire was notified, lifting the giant burden of uncertainty and stress off her shoulders. Within a week, the funds were in her account which proved to be a lifeline. She is now able to cover her essential expenses and could afford to get a little boy a cake for his March birthday.
“This grant made a huge difference to my family. I would recommend this way of processing grant applications online to anyone, even people who don’t feel that confident with computers."
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