Q&A on changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme from 1 April 2025

When will you start applying the £25,000 annual cap?

• If you submit a valid claim before or at 23:59 on 31 March 2025, it will not be capped.
• From 00:00 on 1 April 2025 the maximum any place of worship can claim annually will be £25,000.
• Claims submitted from 00.00 on 1 April will therefore either be capped at £25,000, or if under that level form part of a place of worship’s annual claims allowance of £25,000.

How will you treat claims submitted on or before 31 March 2025?

• Eligible claims with the required documentation and detail submitted before or at 23:59 on 31 March 2025 will not be subject to the cap. Claims submitted from 00:00 on 1 April 2025 will be capped.
• If you submit your claim online or by email the date and time it is received by EMB (our grant contractor) will be taken as the time of submission.
• If you submit a postal application you should ensure it is clearly franked with a date of 31 March 2025 or before and that you have obtained proof of postage. The date of postage will be treated as the date of submission.
• You are encouraged to make claims online and in good time to ensure they meet the deadline.
• If you make a postal claim you are strongly encouraged to use recorded delivery.

How will you treat claims submitted on or after 1 April?

• Claims submitted from 00:00 on 1 April 2025 will be subject to the cap.
• For larger claims this means that only the first £25,000 will be paid.
• Claims under £25,000 will contribute to the listed place of worship’s annual allowance.

What about long term projects already in train?

• You should ensure that all claims for work already carried out are submitted before or at 23:59 on 31 March 2025.
• Claims for work that are submitted from 00:00 on 1 April 2025 will be subject to the cap.

What about works for next year that are already contracted for?

• All claims submitted from 00:00 on 1 April 2025 will be subject to the cap.

Example one:

• John submits a claim for £35,000 as part of a multi-year roofing project that began in June 2024. He submits the online application form at 16:00 on 30 March. John’s claim is paid in full.
• On 2 April John realised that he had not submitted a further £27,000 claim for works carried out in the same period in 2024. He completes the online application form at 16:00 on 2 April. His claim is paid capped at £25,000. He cannot claim for further work this financial year.

Example two:

• Andrew attempted to submit an online claim for £40,000 amount at 23:58 on 31 March. When sending the claim his internet cuts out and it is not received until 06:00 on 1 April. Payment is made and cap is applied as the claim was received after 31 March.

Example three:

• Andrea posts a claim for £35,000 on 29 March. It is clearly franked and she obtains proof of postage. Her application was received on 2 April. It is paid in full as it was clearly submitted ahead of the 31 March deadline.

What if I want to appeal a decision regarding a claim that was submitted in 2024-2025?

• If your application is submitted before or at 23:59 on 31 March 2025 appeals will take place under 24/25 grant criteria (i.e. when there was no cap).
• Appeals will only be considered for claims that cover eligible works and invoices that have been submitted within the 12-month limit.

Example

• John submits a claim on 31 March 2025 related to works invoiced for in February 2025, but the claim paid out did not account for all eligible works on the invoice. John successfully appeals the mistake that was made in determining eligible works. This additional funding will not be subject to the £25,000 cap.

Will the £25,000 cap apply to the building or the body making the claim?

• The £25,000 cap applies to the individual listed place of worship, as identified by the listed building number.

Who will monitor the new £25,000 cap?

• The £25,000 cap per individual listed place of worship will be monitored by EMB to ensure it is not exceeded. Applicants are also advised to keep their own records to ensure the correct amounts are being claimed.