Financial assistance and benefits
You can apply for Local welfare assistance if you are struggling to buy food. You can get food vouchers and money for essential household items.
Discretionary housing payments
Discretionary housing payments may be available to top-up housing-related benefits for a limited time to cover housing costs such as rent..
Exceptional Hardship support
The Exceptional Hardship fund provides a range of support for individuals experiencing great difficulty due to COVID-19. To apply for this funding visit the local welfare assistance page to apply online or contact tel: 020 8825 6237.
Support for self-employed
The government has launched the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme which allows people who are self-employed to claim a taxable grant.
This scheme is being extended. You can now claim for a second and final grant, worth 70% of your average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering 3 months’ worth of profits, and capped at £6,570 in total. You will get the funds in your bank account within six working days of making the claim.
If you’re eligible and want to claim the second grant you must make your claim on or before 19 October 2020.
HMRC have launched an online tool the public can use to find out if they’re eligible to make a claim through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
Help and advice on benefits
If you need advice on benefit entitlements you can telephone our benefits advice line.
Ealing Advice Service is a local service working to provide people in Ealing with access to high-quality advice. The service brings together key advice agencies in Ealing to help with basic information to advice, to full legal representation from a specialist solicitor or caseworker.
Information on claiming benefits is also available from the Department for Work and Pensions. A new website has been created to provide clear, factual information on employment and benefits support with advice on housing, furlough, sick pay and self-employment, alongside advice and FAQs for employers, those already claiming and those making a new claim.
Useful contact numbers
- Apply for Universal Credit or call 0800 328 5644
- Citizens Advice can provide support on how to make a new Universal Credit claim. Call 0800 1448 444
- To claim pension credit
- Job Seekers Allowance /Employment Support Allowance /Income Support Benefits - 0800 169 0310
- Social Fund: 0800 169 0140
- Bereavement Benefits: 0800 731 0139
- Tax Credits: 0345 300 3900
