Residents' Support Scheme - Crisis Payments
The Resident Support Scheme can support residents a maximum of two times in a 12-month rolling period.
What is the Resident Support Scheme?
The Residents' Support Scheme is our programme to help residents who are either in or at risk of being in crisis or require immediate help and have no source of financial support available to them. It distributes Crisis Payments through the Crisis and Resilience Fund, as well as our local funding for local welfare assistance.
What kind of support can you get?
The Residents' Support Scheme will help with short term living costs such as cash and vouchers for food and gas/electric prepayment meters. It can also help in some circumstances with white goods and furniture. When residents apply for household goods and are awarded, they will be given the physical item by the provider. The item will be installed for them when necessary.
The scheme will also direct residents to other sources of support that are available to ensure that they can get the maximum level of help. There may also be the opportunity for referral for advice/assistance with financial, debt and/or welfare benefits to try and address the resident’s long-term needs.
Applications for Heating Oil support through Crisis and Resilience Fund should be made via the RSS, noting within the ‘reasons for your application’ section that the application relates to Heating Oil. The application will be subject to the same criteria as other applications.
Who does the scheme help?
Residents must be aged 16 years or over and must not be subject to any UK immigration control. The council has identified the following groups as a priority to support:
- those experiencing domestic abuse
- families with young children
- older people
- people with longer term illnesses
- people with disabilities
- people with mental health needs
- households with a pregnant person
What will not be awarded?
Not every application will be awarded. The scheme will not award:
- any application made that is felt to be ‘not an immediate need’ or where alternative means of support is available
- applications from those with sufficient income or savings
- clothing (except in exceptional circumstances where someone is fleeing their home e.g. flood, fire, domestic violence)
- minor structural repairs where these are the responsibility of the landlord or the owner.
- furniture and household items where living in private rented furnished accommodation or furnished temporary accommodation, where this is the responsibility of the landlord
- specialist disability equipment or adaptations, recliner chairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters
- personal debts – we will refer to appropriate agencies for support.
- phone costs or associated expenses
If you have received support from the Resident Support Scheme twice within a rolling year, your application will not be granted.
How do you apply?
You can make your application to the scheme online at any time. You will need to provide information about:
- where you live
- who you live with
- your circumstances
- your income
- your health
- what help you are applying for
Apply now
If you are finding it difficult to apply online, or if you have a query about a new or existing application, please
Email: residentsupportscheme@necsws.com
Tel: 020 7520 7217
If you need face-to-face help to apply for the resident support scheme, please email LBTHResidentSupport@towerhamlets.gov.uk or complete the resident support outreach referral form.
How long will it take for a decision to be made?
Cash award decisions are aimed to be made within one working day and household goods within five.
Cash payments are sent directly via bank transfer within 1 to 3 working days.
Can I appeal a decision?
You can appeal within 10 working days of your decision letter. Appeals cannot be used to request more money or larger items due to limited funds.
Appeal a decision
Email: lwpappeal@necsws.com or
Write to:
Residents’ Support Scheme
PO Box 352
Hartlepool
TS24 4FH