Staff Welfare Fund
The Staff Welfare Fund makes one-off cash grants to qualifying people who find themselves in short-term need, hardship or distress. It is run by Transport Benevolent Fund CIO, a charity, known as TBF.
Where the money comes from
The original funding was provided by Transport for London. The level of benefits available is largely determined by investment returns.
Who qualifies
SWF may help someone if they:
- Are receiving a pension from the TfL Pension Fund
- Are employed by TfL or any of its subsidiaries
- Certain staff of other employers (where they have a contractual right to be in the TfL Pension Fund)
- Are an ex-employee who left service due to age, ill-health or redundancy, but not other deferred pensioners
- Dependants who are drawing benefits from TfL Pension Fund
All grants are made at the discretion of the TBF trustees.
Maximum grant
There is no maximum grant, but TBF has to ensure that the available money is distributed fairly.
Loans
At the discretion of the TBF trustees, loans may be granted to active staff, for repayment through the payroll. They are not available to pensioners.
Nursing or care home fees
SWF can't help with nursing or care home fees because this would be longer-term help. It can only provide one-off help to relieve short-term need, hardship or distress.
Applying to SWF if you weren't in TBF
You can still apply to SWF if you weren't in TBF but it's important to remember that it does not provide identical benefits to TBF and funding is dependent on investment performance.
Contact details
Enquiries should be directed to the Transport Benevolent Fund:
Suite 2.7
The Loom
14 Gowers Walk
London
E1 8PY
Telephone: 0300 333 2000
Website: www.tflswf.org.uk
It is helpful to quote either your pension reference number or your employee number when you write or telephone.