The London Borough of Havering (LBH) has developed an Emergency Assistance Scheme (EAS) in partnership with the local community, the voluntary sector and internal departments of the Council.
The EAS Scheme is a discretionary scheme enabled under powers contained within the Local Government Act 2000 and has been in place since 1 April 2013. This scheme was developed to reduce the impact of the abolition of the Department of Work and Pension’s (DWP) community care grants and crisis loans.
This Scheme is available to help vulnerable and low income households and individuals such as care leavers in situations of emergency financial need. Consideration will be given to families with children, people with disabilities and people over 65 who have an emergency need.
Assistance can include support with food, energy and water bills for household purposes (including drinking, washing, cooking, central heating, and sanitary purposes) and sewerage, or other essentials such as sanitary products, warm clothing, soap, blankets; boiler service/repair; purchase of equipment including fridges, freezers and ovens.
In emergency circumstances, cash payments are available.
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for emergency assistance:
- Aged 18 or over (applicants aged 16 to 17 may be eligible for direct support)
- Living in Havering at the time of application
- In receipt of qualifying benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-Based Jobseekers’ Allowance
- Income-Based Employment and Support Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Support
- Severe Disablement Allowance
Or - If the applicant is not in receipt of a welfare benefit they may still be eligible to apply for EAS if they are on a low income. As a guide, low income will be £673 per week for a family with children or £442 per week for an individual living alone or couple with no children residing them.
Other Eligibility Criteria and Considerations
Individuals may be excluded from the scheme in the following situation:
- Individuals in hospital & care homes unless they are about to be discharged
within 2 weeks of the time of application. - Prisoners
- Individuals not living in the borough
- Individuals may not receive emergency assistance who seek support to pay for any
item mentioned below. This is because there is funding available for these items through
other organizations or the item is not considered essential. This list is not exhaustive:
- Travel to & from school
- School meals
- Court costs/legal proceedings
- Respite or domiciliary care
- Repair to a council property
- Repair to privately rented property
- Medical costs
- Mobility needs
- Money to fund investments
- Any appliance or service not deemed essential
- Money for holidays
- Costs associated with parking or running of a motor vehicle.
- The person or household applying for assistance must not have any savings that can be relied on to meet the need they have applied for.
- Single households or families with or without dependent children requiring assistance with food and energy bills can receive direct support of up to six £100.00 cash payments in a 12 month rolling period in emergency circumstances until 31 March 2024 when the scheme is subject to review. Only one application can be made in any two month period.
- All applicants must be willing to engage with appropriate support from advice agencies if necessary, to address any on-going financial capability and personal budgeting issues and sign a relevant consent form.
Aged 18 or over (applicants aged 16 to 17 may be eligible for direct support) Living in Havering at the time of application In receipt of qualifying benefits: Universal Credit Income-Based Jobseekers’ Allowance Income-Based Employment and Support Allowance Incapacity Benefit Pension Credit Income Support Housing Benefit Council Tax Support Severe Disablement Allowance Or If the applicant is not in receipt of a welfare benefit they may still be eligible to apply for EAS if they are on a low income. As a guide, low income will be £673 per week for a family with children or £442 per week for an individual living alone or couple with no children residing them.