Unrestricted funds held in branches is to be used for Community Engagement as per SSAFA Regulations 2026.

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:

• 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 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.

Created and Approved by the Chief Operating Officer and Casework Policy & Grants Manager on 06/08/2026