Crisis Payments
These aim to support households who are experiencing an immediate ‘financial crisis’.
Each application will be assessed as to whether the individual circumstances would be considered to be at the level of an immediate ‘crisis’.
Where appropriate a cash-first or cash-equivalent payment will be made to address an immediate need/crisis.
Examples of a ‘crisis’ include (but are not limited to):
- disasters (normally unforeseen and result in significant damage to, or loss of, possessions or property, such as flood, fire etc.)
- accidents or health emergency/mental health crisis (leading to unplanned spending or incurring increased expenses)
- domestic abuse(where a person is leaving an abusive relationship/partner and needs immediate help with moving and setting up a new home)
- breakage and theft(breakage of an essential item, for example a boiler, medical equipment or white goods / where money has been lost or stolen and living expenses are required)
- short-term income gap(for example, an applicant has a short-term gap in regular income such as redundancy or a significant change in working pattern)
In order to support an applicant at their time of ‘crisis’, the following Crisis Payments can be made to support (examples but not only options):
- food
- water including drinking, washing, cooking, as well as for sanitary purposes and sewerage
- housing costs
- period and hygiene products
- energy for any form of fuel that is used for the purposes of domestic heating, cooking or lighting, including oil or portable gas cylinders
- clothing including uniform, warm winter clothing and shoes
- essential furniture and appliances such as beds and bedding, washing machines, window coverings and carpets, fridge-freezers and ovens
- essential transport-related costs such as repairing a car, buying a bicycle or bus pass or paying for fuel
- digital and connectivity essentials such as broadband or phone bills
Eligibility criteria and assessment
The first stage of eligibility requires that an applicant meet the following basic initial criteria in order to be assessed:
- resident in Bexley
- aged 16+
- be willing to accept a referral to an appropriate Resilience Service to address underlying issues that have led to crisis situation e.g. benefits support, employment or housing advice
- understand that should a Crisis Payment be made, household becomes ineligible for a further Crisis Payment for a period of 6 months, unless their application is supported by the relevant Resilience Service
Each application will then be assessed as to whether the individual circumstances would be considered to be at the level of an immediate ‘crisis’.