“When I fell off a ladder I was not able to work as a flautist and vocalist. I spent months in hospital and was looking at six months before I could do any work. I contacted the PRS Members’ Fund. They arranged an invaluable immediate crisis loan of £750. After a home visit they were also able to arrange financial support that allowed me to have additional physiotherapy. I am now able to concentrate on recovering and getting back to full employment.” Mr B member since 1978
Who can benefit from our help?
If you are a member or former member of the Performing Right Society then we can help you. We can also help the dependants of members. We help in all sorts of circumstances – whenever you have unexpected financial problems. This could be when accidents or illnesses stop you from working or because of old age or disability. For example, you are receiving benefits such as Pension Credit and still finding it hard to make ends meet then we may be able to help. This could also apply to your dependants.
We sometimes find that people are embarrassed about asking for help. Don’t be. This is your Fund. Please use it.
How we can help
There are a number of ways that we can help.
- Short-term loans
- Special needs grants
- Regular assistance
- Financial advice
- Sheltered accommodation
What sort of help can we give?
Short-term loans
We award short-term loans to members who have an unexpected financial crisis. We arrange a loan and agree a timescale for paying it back.
Special needs grants
We are able to give one-off grants to elderly or disabled members who are finding it difficult to meet their living costs despite receiving all the benefits they are entitled to. It might be for anything from essential property repairs or replacing a broken fridge.
Regular assistance
We can arrange for regular small grants (up to £20 a week) to help members who are receiving benefits but still aren’t able to maintain basic standards of living. In addition to regular grants we can help pay for things like telephone and TV rental, the TV licence, an annual holiday or even a Christmas hamper.
Financial advice
We sometimes arrange for a home visit from one of our advisers known as Visitors. We are building up a network of Visitors around the country. Visitors spend time talking to you about your circumstances and then advise you on help the PRS Fund might be able to give. They can also refer you to a specialist money adviser for advice on managing debts and reducing your monthly expenditure, and can point you towards other sources of support.
Sheltered accommodation
In some circumstances we are able to help members find sheltered accommodation. This is done is association with Anchor Housing