What is the Lightning Reach portal?
The Lightning Reach portal is a free online service that can help you find and apply for
financial support from different places. This can include grants, funding from your
local council and help with your bills, all in one place. You can find out more on the website

www.lightningreach.org/

How do I use Lightning Reach?
You can sign up using your email address at

www.lightningreach.org/caledonia

When you sign up, you’ll make a profile by answering a few simple questions. It only
takes a few minutes to complete.

The portal will use your answers to match you with any support you might be eligible
for. In some cases, you can then apply for support directly through the website and
give all the information and evidence you need to provide.

I’m having technical difficulties, who can help me?
For technical support, please contact hello@lightningreach.org

How is my data used?
The portal collects and sends all the information that organisations need to assess your
application, making it faster for you to get the help you need. We only send this to the
organisation when you are making an application and have consented to share the information.
You can read the Lightning Reach privacy policy here:
www.lightningreach.org/privacy-policy

Is it safe to use Lightning Reach?
Lightning Reach is very safe because it uses modern and secure technology to protect your
information when you share your details and documents with the organisations you apply to. This
is safer than sending personal details and documents by post or email.

Who is Lightning Reach?
Lightning Reach is an organisation that helps anyone facing financial hardship to receive
support, recover from shocks and achieve financial resilience.
Why do I need to connect my bank account? Is it safe?
We ask you to connect your bank account so we can see evidence of your financial situation.
This gives us read-only access to the last three months’ of transaction information and account
balances. It does not provide any more information than would be included in a bank statement,
but it allows much faster processing of your application. We cannot see your login/password
information or access your bank account.

Plaid is the technology provider that Lightning Reach works with to allow the platform to securely
connect to your bank. The company is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm
Reference Number: 804718). They are a trusted partner to companies ranging from popular
financial technology applications to Fortune 500 companies and major banks.