Hackney emergency help from discretionary crisis support scheme

Struggling residents in the Hackney borough or those facing an emergency can get help from the discretionary crisis support scheme. This is a central government funded programme, but locally run service, that can assist with the payment of a number of bills.

Any support paid out will be at the discretion of the council, and they will decide what type of household living expenses can be covered by the welfare scheme. Any financial aid is usually for bills that if left unpaid could result in a health or safety crisis. So the crisis support scheme may help with everything from rent deposits to food, clothing, utility bills, and re-connection costs for heating service.

The council relies on two main partner organisations to process applications. The main access points are below. To apply, the resident needs to be over the age of 16. All applicants need to be on a low income and also faced with an exceptional financial hardship.

In order to receive assistance from the discretionary crisis support scheme in Hackney, the applicant can’t have any savings available to them. They also need to have asked for financial help from friends or family first, and can’t be eligible for a loan from the Department for Work and Pensions. So in effect any payments from the Hackney council are a last resort.

Urgent bills that can be paid

The council will only provide funds to families that are found eligible per above. The expense being paid by the agency can’t be covered by any other programmes or benefits. Some examples of the expenses that can be paid are below. Any aid from the scheme is one time only.

Anyone that needs practical support can apply. The council will provide the family with goods such as clothing, footwear and bedding. These items will be offered directly by the council or its partners in Hackney. So welfare will not pay for these goods, but rather the item is given to them.

Housing assistance is available from Hackney discretionary crisis support scheme. Both rent and deposits can be paid if the tenant can’t get help from the discretionary hardship fund. The aim is to prevent further homelessness in the borough.

Low income households that are struggling with energy bills can get help from welfare. The council will provide a grant for a bill in arrears or offer the customer a pre-paid card. If the household has no heat, then re-connection fees may be paid.

Any help for fuel costs is only available after the customer has entered into a payment plan. So the applicant needs to first get advice from the council partners such as East End Citizens Advice Bureau or Hackney Marsh Partnership. Or learn how to enter into payment plans.

Awards from the scheme can also cover emergency travel expenses, expenses for families where their money has been stolen, of people faced with a disaster, such as a fire.

When seeking help from the council, it is important to note that the discretionary crisis support scheme in Hackney is only for people threatened with exceptional circumstances and has no other resources available. So the scheme is limited in what is provided, and residents need to have explored all other options available to them first. To apply, drop in or call East End Citizens Advice Bureau (post 300 Mare Street, E8 1HE, phone 020 8525 6350) or try the Hackney Marsh Partnership (post is 8-9 Kingsmead Way, E9 5QG, telephone 020 8525 6960).