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In an effort to help Havering residents on a low income or that are living in poverty, the council and DABD (uk) have partnered together to create the Emergency Assistance Scheme. The aid is for a crisis situation, and it can help address health issues such as lack of food. Or if the individual is homeless or threatened with it and is unsafe, there may be assistance for a rent deposit on a new home, and this will usually be paid in the form of a loan. Other assistance can also be provided by the Havering scheme.

The reason this programme was created was to help people facing poverty and that received assistance from the Social Fund in the past. So the council still wants to be able to help residents with any crisis they are facing, whether it is some type of bills in arrears or lack of food. The scheme can be used for a variety of needs.

There are criteria in place, and the Emergency Assistance Scheme will only help people with household earnings of less than £500 per week. Or there may be assistance for families that receive some type of benefits as well. Lastly, people on a low income that have a crisis may also be able to apply for the Havering Emergency Assistance Scheme. People from the community can only apply at most three time a year, need to be age 18 or older, and meet other conditions.

An application and assessment needs to take place, and DABD (uk) helps in this process. They work with specialists from the council on the review process. Each application is assessed, and the agency will also require proof of income as well as savings. DABD (uk) will get back to the applicant on their decision, and they try to do this in less than five days.

Some people will not be eligible, but they can still receive support. For those individuals, they will be referred to a Credit Union for a loan. The funds will be issued at a low interest rate, and the money can be used for paying many different bills and expenses as noted below.

Expenses addressed by Emergency Assistance Scheme

The council does limit the uses of the funds, and in most cases a voucher will be issued or a cheque sent directly to a landlord or who is owed the money. Items will usually be issued directly to the person applying. So the cash is limited.

• Food is provided in the form of a voucher to a church, soup kitchen, or food bank.
• Housing assistance will be addressed from discretionary housing payments from the Havering council, and the scheme can refer people to that.
• Individuals that receive help from the scheme for their deposit will also be given furniture.
• DABD will also give advice. This will include on income maximisation as well as reducing debt arrears. Job training is also arranged.
• Resettlement is provided in an emergency, such as for DV survivors, and a rent deposit can be paid for these applicants.
• Transportation can be paid by the local welfare scheme, or find more support including free travel cards.

Havering disabled or older people can get additional emergency help. Sometimes they can’t meet it to the centre to apply. Or they need hot meals or food brought to their home or flat. Another service is Meals on Wheels, which will help feed those that lack mobility.

Since the scheme is cash limited, any request for over £50 will be covered by a loan, as noted above. This also provides the individual more flexibility in the bills they can pay. However the funds will need to repaid to the Credit Union on agreed upon terms.

To apply for the Emergency Assistance Scheme, local individuals can dial 0208 507 9404. Or a specialist can answer any questions. Be prepared with proof of income, and the person needs to declare that the application was completed accurately. If it was falsified, the council will seek the funds back from the resident and file a fraud case against them.