Unrestricted funds held in branches is to be used for Community Engagement as per SSAFA Regulations 2026. Further guidance on this will be published by the Community Engagement Operations Manager.

As SSAFA is not deemed as a grant giving assistance provider, unrestricted branch funds are not to be used for grants relating to beneficiary needs.

Should there be a legitimate reason as to why funds are required to support a beneficiary, such as urgent/ crisis situations or a shortfall in pledges, the process is as follows:

• Regional Office make a Request to Charities to SSAFA Financial Assistance on Mosaic – this enables beneficiaries to access centrally held restricted crisis funds.

   

• Where SSAFA Financial Assistance declines to pledge or a shortfall remains then the Regional Office should approach the applicable branch to request support from their documented restricted funds (if available.)

   

•  If restricted funds are not available or cannot be used for the purpose requested, in an exception and only as a last resort should you make a request to the Regional Manager to access funds held in the Regional Office Admin Account to top up a shortfall in grant funding or, in exceptional cases, where there is a strong expectation that payments will be covered by funds received later.

Please Note: Use of Regional Office Admin Account funds for such purposes is not expected to exceed more than 5% of all cases.

Should a branch wish to provide funds for beneficiary need they can consider contributing to the SSAFA Financial Assistance Cost-of-Living Fund, 100% of the contribution is spent directly on beneficiary needs.

Queries regarding this policy or how to contribute to the Cost-of-Living Fund should be directed to the Casework Policy & Grants Manager.

 Approved by the Chief Operating Officer on 06/08/2026