FAQ

Yes. They are submitted every year to the Charity Commission., Reg Char No: 1058334

Funds have been distributed to over 1800 charities. For a list of:-

• the top 15 recipient charities since 1996
• see the Keren Shmuel accounts for all charities that received more than £1000 in a given year.

Only under very rare circumstances would we consider paying cash in exchange for vouchers. Charities have bank accounts and will be paid by BACS or cheque.

No. Client donations cannot be used to pay School Fees. The HMRC has defined "Benefit Rules" and School Fees are considered a benefit.

No. Burial Fees are considered personal benefit and should not be paid from your Keren Shmuel account.

Yes. Shul Fees are not considered personal benefit and clients do set up standing orders directly from their
Keren Shmuel accounts to their respective synagogues.

No. Keren Shmuel is a charity, not a bank.If pre-stamped/cheque vouchers are submitted but cannot be honoured then the voucher will nor be processed unless outstanding tax is due. It can happen that a voucher can actually block other monies so always stay in credit.

Pre-paid vouchers are valid indefinitely. Pre-stamped and cheque vouchers that are not dated are also valid indefinitely. Only pre-stamped or cheque vouchers that are dated have a lifetime, which is currently fixed at six months

Some clients add small stickers limiting the validity date to two or three months.

There are several possible ways, namely:-

• Using a pre-paid, pre-stamped or cheque voucher
• Request over the phone
• Request via email
• Set up a Standing Order (from your Keren Shmuel account) to the charity (for regular donations or for N-payments) or
• Using facilities on this web site.

No, not yet, this method of donation is currently unavailable.