Find out about crisis payments and how to apply, and get information about support in the holidays for families who get Free School Meals.
If you need extra help to get essentials you can't live without, you can apply for a crisis payment.
Crisis payments can provide help with:
The fund doesn't provide cash, we'll give you vouchers instead, or find another way to help you access emergency food.
Due to high levels of demand, we may not be able to help every household who applies. We may also need to contact you to provide further evidence to support your application.
Whilst voucher support in the school holidays for families in receipt of Free School Meals has ended, there is a range of support available this summer to help children stay active, engaged and well-fed during the school break.
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme provides eligible children and young people with access to:
Children who receive benefits-related Free School Meals may be eligible to take part. Places and activities vary across the local area. Find out more about HAF and book activities.
For those households experiencing financial shock in the school holidays, a Crisis Payment application can also be made. We consider Crisis Payment applications on a case-by-case basis. We will look into the underlying causes of financial difficulties and identify ways of addressing these to increase resilience.
You can contact Best Start Family Hubs for guidance on a range of issues and help accessing support in your local community.
You can also find information about available support through Family Help Online.
To qualify for this fund, you must be:
in receipt of, or have underlying entitlement to a DWP benefit or Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction (Council Tax exemptions or discounts do not apply)
Contact the team for information and advice about applications to the fund.