Financial help from Southend-on-Sea Essential Living Fund

One of the main benefits available from the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is the Essential Living fund. It was created to help families on a low income, people without savings or those in a crisis pay their bills. It assists with General Living Expenses, helps families obtain free food, clothing, and much more. The financial assistance for people local to Southend-on-Sea Borough can also be combined with other forms of support, such as Universal Credit or Winter Fuel Payments.

There are several different bills that can be paid by the council. Priority will always be given to applicants that need assistance in paying any emergency, General Expense. The living costs that may be paid include the following.

Energy bills, including light, fuel during the winter, connections and gas costs.
Furniture for a home or flat, free armchairs, tables, beds, curtains, bedding, other items may be given, all of which will be used.
Equipment and Reconditioned White Goods – Grants can pay for fridges, washing machines, white goods, small electrical appliances, and other items.
Food, nappies personal hygiene products and other general living expenses. The Essential Living Fund gives priority to paying these bills, as it helps a family on a low income make it through day to day.
Free clothing can be provided by the Southend-on-Sea County or partners. This can be footwear for a job, items for interviews, and much more.

The council will also review other requests from an applicant. The Southend-on-Sea Essential Living Fund is discretionary, so the council can decline an application, pay a certain type of bill, or cover other costs if/when needed. Anyone from the borough can apply for, and maybe claim a grant, from the Fund.

How is help provided?

The Southend-on-Sea council will never pay out cash or give money to a bank account. Instead a combination of grants (or vouchers), AllPay cards, second hand household goods from local dealers, groceries from a food bank, or other aid is provided. When it comes to any grants for paying energy bills, that will be offered by All Pay cards.
The local authorities have partnerships with a number of stores, reputable charities, and recycling centres. This is done to provide free items. Or the council can link a family to another local charity, such as the Salvation Army.

The Essential Living Fund will also try to provide financial assistance in one day, after the application has been approved. This is the case for food vouchers or energy bills. Other way to get help in a crisis is for general living expenses. During an emergency, All Pay cards are normally used to provide funds to the resident of the borough.

Applications can sometimes be done over the telephone, on a working day. The Southend-on-Sea Borough Council makes every effort to get help to the person as quickly as possible, to ensure they are fed, safe, have heat, and other support. Sometimes grants can be issued the same day, but in other cases (for furniture, white goods, etc.) it may take time. For more information on the essential Living Fund, ring the council support team at 0300 7900124.