Application guidelines

Funds are not unlimited, and due to an unprecedented demand we are introducing temporary guidelines for UK applicants for general hardship relief to prioritise those with immediate and urgent needs.

A. All applicants must satisfy our remit as a prisoner of conscience (see below).

B. If the applicant has refugee status and has been in the UK for more than three years, they are not eligible to apply unless the referral agency can show that they are a particularly exceptional case with immediate and urgent needs.

C. Those without refugee status can apply regardless of how long they have been in the UK, but also must demonstrate a genuine need for funds.

D. As a small charitable organisation with limited funds, it should also be noted that eligibility does not necessarily guarantee a successful outcome. The final decision on any grant application will be made by the Trustees of the Fund and will be dependent on sufficient funds being available.

Who can apply to the Prisoners of Conscience Appeal Fund?

The Fund makes grants to individuals (and/or their families) who have suffered persecution for their conscientiously-held beliefs, provided they have not used or advocated violence or supported a violent organisation or have willingly served in the armed forces. The fact that the applicant is seeking asylum or has been a victim of a civil war is not in itself sufficient. A degree of personal persecution has to be established.

A recognised/approved agency should make the application on behalf of the individual or family. The application should include:

1. Two copies of the application form, filled in as fully as possible by someone from the referral agency who has been authorised to do so and then signed both by the agency and the applicant. The form must not be filled in by the applicant themselves.

2. Two copies of applicant(s) IND form showing details of their application for asylum (for applicants applying from the UK). For overseas applicants, two copies of proof of identity documentation.

3. Two copies of any other relevant supporting documents such as an asylum statement or a doctor's report, for example.

4. A covering letter (and copy) describing how and why the applicant was persecuted and what danger there was of further persecution on the grounds of their conscientiously-held beliefs. The letter should also give information about the applicant's circumstances since arriving in the UK or since persecution.

Except under certain conditions, applicants who have already received a grant from the Fund are not usually considered again.

If all the relevant information is sent, the application will normally take about 2 to 3 weeks to be processed. Grants are made by sending a cheque to the agency or by secure bank transfer. A receipt is sent out with funds for the beneficiary to sign, which the referral agency must return to the Fund as soon as possible.

Purposes of grants

The Fund makes grants for the relief or rehabilitation of anyone who falls inside its remit. This will include:

Basic essentials such as food, clothing, toiletries and travel costs.
Basic furniture.
Counselling/Therapy sessions.
Family reunion costs.
Medical needs.
Some vocational conversion courses such as PLAB and IELTS.
We do not help with university fees, but can help with travel fares, books etc.

As a rule, we do not fund retrospectively.

Anything which is believed to be truly important in the rehabilitation of the applicant will be considered.

Details of costs must be given. For example, if an applicant needs counselling sessions, the application must give details of the sessions, location, duration and cost. Similarly, if a grant is required for family reunion then details and prices of fares and visas must be included.

Guideline amounts

The standard guidelines are:

Up to two people: £350.00
Three people: £400.00
Family of four or more: £500.00

In very exceptional circumstances, the Trustees will consider larger amounts.

Applications must be filled in as fully as possible. If not, they will be returned.

These guidelines are intended to help you. The final decision will be made by the Trustees and obviously depends on sufficient funds being available from the Prisoners of Conscience Appeal Fund.