Think our financial support isn’t for you? Skip down to read our mythbusting guide. You could be surprised. Everyone will need to adapt to deal with the increase in the cost of living. If you’re worried about the impact of rising prices, please get in touch. We’re ready to support you whether you’re facing everyday concerns or exceptional situations. It’s why we’re here.
financial support
Financial support gives you breathing space so you can get your finances in order. Grants and donations are short term or one-off payments to help cover bills and unexpected costs. They’re not a loan. You don’t have to pay the money back.
Financial support is means-tested and we take into account your income, expenditure and capital. Talk to us before you assume you won’t be able to get financial support. Our criteria might be broader than you realise and there are many different ways that we can help.
Financial support could help pay for:
- reduced ICAEW membership fees
- essential living expenses, including mortgage or rental payments
- car repairs or maintenance
- essential home repairs
- replacement kitchen appliances
- mobility aids
- funeral costs
- care home top-up fees
- adapting your home to make easy for you to get around
"I was facing a shortfall of about £500 a month. Whatever I did about the debts, it would just creep back up again. I spoke to a caba advisor who made me feel so much better. He said ‘Don’t worry. We can help you.'"
We’ll need more information about your financial situation to consider your request for financial support. It’s a simple process and you’ll have a dedicated support officer to help you at each stage.
financial support process
download our financial support flowchart
If you already get means-tested UK benefits like Pension Credit or Universal Credit, you’re automatically eligible for some financial support like our back to school grant and winter fuel payment. These are also available through our means tested application if you don’t receive a means-tested benefit.
back to school payment
Getting your children ready for a new school year can be expensive. The Back to School discretionary donation is a fixed sum to help cover the cost. The money can be used to buy new school uniform, shoes, PE kit and other school essentials.
winter fuel payment
Keeping your home warm is good for your health and your wellbeing, but as fuel costs are rising you might find it too expensive to heat your home. The winter fuel payment is a fixed sum to help pay your heating bill. It is on top of any payment from the government.
we’ll also help you take steps to secure your longer-term financial future
For example:
- career coaching to get a new job or increase your income
- explore benefits and grants that are available to you and help you to apply for them
- negotiate an affordable payment plan to help you clear debts
- supporting your move to a new home to lower your living costs
debt advice
Debt problems can happen to anyone. If you spot the warning signs, it’s best to act quickly before the situation spins out of control. If you’re based in the UK, our friendly specialist debt advisors take time to understand your situation without judgement. You’ll work together to explore your options and develop a plan to get your finances back in order. We can help you understand your bills and what you owe, negotiate realistic payment plans with creditors on your behalf and will help you prioritise which debts to pay first. Your debt advisor will keep you up to date at every step with advice and information. You can also access our debt toolkit to help you get a handle on your finances. Contact us if you’re living outside the UK to understand the support available that fits your personal circumstances.
We don’t provide financial assistance towards the repayments of debts.
benefits and alternative support
Many people miss out on financial help through benefits, government schemes, grants and other kinds of financial support because they don’t know what’s available to them. It’s a complicated area that changes every year. Our UK benefits calculator supplied by Turn2us will highlight where you could be missing out. You may find it helpful to read our simple guide to the main UK benefits. However, you don’t need to do everything by yourself because our experts can help you make sense of it all. They’ll explore the options available to you, including other sources of support, complete any application processes with you and could help you challenge an existing benefit decision. We can also work with you to find out if there’s any local financial support if you’re living outside the UK.
emotional support
One problem can lead to another. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and money worries are taking a toll on your mental wellbeing or affecting your family, then our individual or relationship counselling services can help. Counselling is not just talking. It’s a systematic process. A qualified counsellor listens and helps you to find how to move through the problems you’re facing, develop new strengths and improve your wellbeing.
Counselling can help you:
- deal with difficult life events like bereavement or relationship problems
- process and resolve emotions like guilt, grief, anger, or sadness
- cope with a crisis
- work through conflict
- improve low self-esteem
financial support mythbusting
Who is eligible for support?
We support past and present members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW)1, ACA students2, ICAEW staff members3, and the family and carers of members and students4.
- No matter where your career takes you, past and present members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England Wales (ICAEW) are eligible for caba’s services for life, even if you change your career and leave accountancy
- ACA students (ICAEW Provisional Members) who are either an active student or have been an active student within the last three years are eligible for caba's services
- Past and present staff members of the ICAEW or caba are eligible for caba's services for life, even if you leave either organisation. Please note, for former employees, our financial support is only available to those who have had five years continuous employment with either organisation
- Family members and carers of either an eligible past or present ICAEW member, ACA student or past or present employee of the ICAEW or caba are eligible for caba's support. We define a family member as a:
- spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner
- widow, widower or surviving civil partner who has not remarried or cohabiting with a partner
- divorced spouse or civil partner who has not remarried or cohabiting with a partner
- child aged up to 25. Please note, children aged between 16 and 25 are not eligible for individual financial support
- any other person who is or was dependent on the eligible individual supporting them financially or are reliant on the eligible individual’s care
- any other person on whom the eligible individual is reliant, either financially or for care
You can find out more about our available support both in the UK and around the world on our support we offer page.
Are your services means-tested?
If you need financial support, we carry out a means test where we consider income, expenditure, capital and assets.
*Please note none of our other services are means-tested.
If I ask caba for help will ICAEW be told?
Do I have to donate to caba to access its support?
Will information I give to caba remain confidential?
Will caba support me if I'm outside the UK?
Does caba help with debt repayments?
Do I have to pay for support?
How long does it take to receive financial support?
It depends on the individual situation, but we can work very quickly if it’s an emergency.
download our financial support flowchart