Yes, we can accept applications from legal guardians, carers (with signed, written confirmation from the author) or those with Lasting Power of Attorney.

Yes, we do support the dependants of writers. You may be asked for supporting documentation demonstrating your financial dependence on the writer. If a dependant is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must apply on their behalf.

No, we don’t give personal loans or grants towards completion of any literary work. RLF hardship grants are given as a donation towards the removal of distress for the applicant.

The RLF committee passes applicants for literary merit before they can consider a grant. All our grants are means-tested, and the whole household income is considered part of the application. As part of this confidential application process, you will be asked to provide details of your publishing history, details of your income and expenditure and supporting documentation. You may also be asked to send copies of your published work.

You will also be invited to discuss your application and circumstances with a staff member. Grants are given as a donation towards the removal of the distress of the applicant and not as a loan, nor for the completion of any literary work.

We support writers from the following writing categories:

• Biographers
• Children’s and YA authors
• Essayists
• Non-fiction writers
• Novelists (including ‘genre fiction’)
• Playwrights
• Poets
• Scriptwriters
• Translators
• Writers of short stories
• Ghost-writers
• Graphic Novelists

Unfortunately, we are not able to currently accept the following writing categories:

• Illustration
• Performance poetry
• Academic works, textbooks or technical manuals
• Blogging
• Work as a critic or journalist
• Work as an editor or compiler
• Works under contract but not yet published
• Self-published works (including works where the author has contributed towards the cost of publishing i.e. hybrid contracts)

To be eligible to apply for an RLF hardship grant you must have a minimum of two works published which meet the criteria listed here. At present, this cannot include self-published works (including works where the author has contributed towards the cost of publishing i.e. hybrid contracts).

If you are a self-published author looking for assistance, we suggest taking a look at Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), a global non-profit membership association for self-publishing authors. Their website is full of information and advice for self-published authors of all levels.

You can find more information about this organisation and many others on our Writer Resources page.

To be eligible to apply for an RLF hardship grant you must have a minimum of two works published which meet the criteria listed here. At present, this cannot include works derived from journalism.

If you are a journalist looking for assistance, we suggest taking a look at the Journalist’s Charity, a resource for journalists across the country. Their website offers support, advice, and financial assistance.

You can find more information about this organisation and many others on our Writer Resources page.

The Grants Committee meets 11 times a year to consider applications. The grants team will be able to confirm at which meeting your application will be considered once all relevant materials and documents have been received.

We aim to process first-time applicants within two months of receiving all relevant documents and materials, and one month for returning writers.

All applications are assessed by the RLF committee, which meets 11 times a year. Once you have supplied all the relevant materials and documents to support your application, the RLF’s Grants team will be able to confirm when your application will be considered.