https://www.southwark.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/emergency-support
Contact Number: 0207 525 2434
Southwark Council announced earlier this week a further £1.5m in emergency funding to be made available ensuring those requiring emergency support including food and fuel would be able to access support immediately. Whilst Government has announced some further support for families in receipt of free school meals we recognise that this may take some time to be made available.
We will be making temporary changes to the eligibility criteria for the Southwark Emergency Support Scheme.
Eligibility will be extended to those who experience a sudden loss or interruption to income as a consequence of the impacts of COVID-19 and who lack other resources to meet their household’s basic needs for short periods.
We following criteria will also apply to families who live in Southwark and whose children are currently in receipt of free school meals until such times as government put alternative arrangements in place.
- Those claiming benefit but who face lengthy delays before they receive their first benefit payment and who lack other resources to meet urgent basic needs
- Those who are employed under zero-hour or similar contractual arrangements and who may still be employed but are without work or earnings and lack other resources to meet urgent basic needs
- Those who are self-employed but without work or income and lacking other resources to meet urgent basic needs
- Those whose income has fallen but where payment of Universal Credit for example does not yet reflect that change and who find themselves temporarily lacking resources to meet urgent basic needs
- Those facing significant deductions from their Universal Credit award or other benefits and as a consequence lack resources to meet urgent basic needs
- Those who experience problems claiming benefits for example due to difficulties in meeting evidence requirements (this would apply mainly to foreign nationals or UK citizens who were not born in the UK and who are we know likely to face problems when satisfying residency test for UC)