Financial Hardship: Practical Support for Displaced Care Workers
- Krystle Wong
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
In the past months, we have received many requests much like this one:
As a displaced care worker whose employer lost its sponsor licence, I am currently experiencing financial hardship while seeking a new sponsoring employer. I wondered whether Tresacare is aware of any hardship funds, emergency support services, charitable grants, or organisations that may be able to assist displaced care workers who are struggling financially. Any advice or signposting would be greatly appreciated.
At Tresacare, we believe financial wellbeing is closely connected to overall wellbeing. Understanding your options, taking practical steps, and continuing to invest in yourself can help you move forward with greater confidence, whatever your next chapter looks like.
As bleak as it may seem, there is always a way forward.
We are delighted to share that the brilliant Jaskiran Mangat, a trauma-sensitive consultant and founder of Finance Therapy, has been delivering the invaluable 'Financial Support for Displaced Workers' workshop as part of our ongoing wellbeing programme.
And Jaskiran has generously agreed to share the main contents of her workshop in this blog post. No gatekeeping!
Immigration & Visa Advice
If your sponsor's licence has been revoked, make sure you understand your visa status before making any decisions. You are typically given a grace period (commonly 60 calendar days, though it can be shorter) to find a new licensed sponsor, switch to a different visa route, or leave the UK.
Check UKVI correspondence (post, email, and your UKVI account) for your exact curtailment date.
Contact the Home Office Sponsorship and Employer Enquiries helpline if you are unsure of your status or have not received written confirmation.
Find a free immigration adviser via the Immigration Advice Authority
Free, regulated immigration advice: Migrant Help and Citizens Advice immigration
Remember that while you're on a Health and Care Worker Visa, you should seek advice before taking any paid work outside your visa conditions as this could jeopardise your visa status!
Financial Support
Many Health and Care Worker visas include a No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition, meaning you may not be eligible for benefits such as Universal Credit.
However, if you're experiencing genuine destitution, you may be able to apply for a Change of Conditions to remove the NRPF restriction. A regulated immigration adviser can help you understand whether this applies to your situation.
If you have children or are facing an emergency, it's also worth contacting your local council's Welfare Assistance Team or Social Services to ask what support may be available.
Charitable hardship grants
A number of UK charities provide one-off grants or emergency support to people in financial hardship, including migrantworkers. Eligibility and funds vary, so apply to several where you meet the criteria. None of these affect your immigration status.
Organisation | What they offer | Contact |
Turn2us | Charitable grants search tool and a benefits/grants calculator; lists hundreds of UK grant-giving charities by your situation. | Online tool turn2us.org.uk |
Trussell Trust | Network of food banks across the UK; emergency food parcels, no judgement, referral often not required. | Find your local food bank trusselltrust.org |
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Foundation | Hardship grants for nursing and care staff (including non-members in some cases) facing financial crisis. | Hardship Fund rcnfoundation.org.uk |
Cavell Nurses' Trust | Financial grants and wellbeing support specifically for nurses, midwives, and | Apply for help cavellnurses.org |
Care Workers' Charity | Crisis grants for social care workers facing financial hardship, including job loss | Apply for a grant careworkerscharity.org.uk |
Migrant Help | Practical advice, advocacy and signposting for migrants in hardship, including help understanding your options. | Helpline & webchat migranthelpuk.org |
Citizens Advice | Free, confidential advice on debt, benefits, food banks, housing and immigration basics; local face-to-face appointments available. | Adviceline 0800 144 8848 citizensadvice.org.uk |
StepChange Debt Charity | Free debt advice and budgeting support if bills or credit repayments are becoming unmanageable. | 0800 138 1111 stepchange.org |
National Debtline | Free, independent debt advice by phone and webchat. | 0808 808 4000 nationaldebtline.org |
Household Bills
If you're worried about rent or bills, contact providers as early as possible. Many have hardship teams. Call and ask for their 'financial hardship' or 'priority services' team.
Energy – British Gas Energy Trust (open to customers of any supplier)
Energy – Your local council's Household Support Fund
Water – Water companies run 'WaterSure' and social tariffs. Contact your supplier directly or check CCWater.
Housing
If you are in employer-tied accommodation, get independent advice as soon as possible about your rights and notice periods. Contact Shelter or Citizens Advice before agreeing to anything in writing or moving out.
Looking for a New Sponsor
Only accept sponsorship from employers on the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors. You can also search for roles through:
⚠️ Be cautious of anyone asking you to pay a fee for a sponsorship offer or job placement – this is illegal in the UK and a common scam targeting displaced care workers.
Looking After Your Wellbeing
Financial stress, uncertainty about your visa, and being unable to work all at once are genuinely heavy to carry. It's common to feel anxious, low, overwhelmed, or even embarrassed in this situation. That is anormal response to a very difficult set of circumstances, not a sign that you are coping badly.
Samaritans – free, confidential, 24/7 emotional support: 116 123
Mind — mental health information and local support: 0300 102 1234
NHS talking therapies – free. Your GP can refer you or you can usually self-refer too.
We also encourage you to join one of Tresacare's wellbeing sessions. Looking after yourself is an important part of moving forward.
Asking for Help
If you're struggling with the idea of asking for help, consider reflecting on your mindset, supporting your nervous system, and letting go of any shame that’s standing in the way of seeking and accepting the help you need.
A change in circumstance sometimes prods us to revisit our goals and values to plan the right next steps.
For some, this setback may mean leaving the UK and returning to your home nation, or somewhere else. This can come with a lot of stress, self-doubt, and the need to lean on your family and friends for support.
Reflecting on your personal narratives about money and immigration will help you get more comfortable talking about money and asking for support.
A Final Thought
Remember: Financial hardship can happen to anyone. Reaching out for advice is a practical step – not a sign of failure. You absolutely do not need to go through this alone!
Thank you again to Jaskiran at Finance Therapy for partnering with Tresacare to create this resource. If you found this guide helpful and like to learn more about Finance Therapy, we encourage you to follow Jaskiran on LinkedIn, Substack, or join her circle on Luma.
Note from Finance Therapy: This guide is general information and signposting, not personalised financial, legal or immigration advice. Eligibility for grants, benefits, and the NRPF condition change depends on your individual circumstances, so please confirm details directly with the organisations listed, an OISC-registered immigration adviser, or a qualified financial adviser before making decisions.