SOCIAL & FINANCIAL SUPPORT

There is a range of support available from local and national organisations, to help during difficult situations.

Everyone has a right to access information on help and support available:

Below is a list of local charities and incentives available locally:

Struggling financially?

We have listed below some of the available support, to help with the cost of living and save money: 

Emergency Assistance Scheme (EAS)

Havering Council has expanded its Emergency Assistance Scheme (EAS) through the Havering Helps initiative, offering more support to residents impacted by cost-of-living pressures.

Eligible residents, including low-income households and those affected by the cuts to national winter fuel payments, may qualify for a one-time £100 grant to assist with essentials like food and heating.

To see if you're eligible, please visit the following website: Emergency Assistance Scheme

Additional winter support

Additional support is available for residents this winter, including:

• Warm Spaces: Libraries and community centres across the borough will provide free heated spaces for residents.
• Energy Doctors: This free service offers energy-saving advice and minor home repairs, potentially reducing energy costs by up to £209 annually.
• School Holiday Meals: Extended through to March 2025, this program provides £15 per eligible child each week during school holidays to ensure children have meals when school is out.
• Council Tax Relief: A £50 credit will automatically be applied to the Council Tax accounts of single parents receiving Council Tax Support.
• Residents are also encouraged to apply for Pension Credit, which could provide access to the Winter Fuel Payment. You can apply even if you haven’t paid National Insurance contributions, receive a small pension, live with adult family members, or own your home or live in a care facility.
• The deadline for claiming is Saturday 21 December. Visit GOV.UK or call Citizens Advice Havering on 01708 763531.

For more details on support or to apply for EAS, visit the Havering Helps website, email costoflivingresponse@havering.gov.uk, or call the Cost of Living helpline on 01708 432280.

For other information on help for households available from the government, please visit: Help for Households - Get government cost of living support

Financial support and advice:

• Money advice and benefits help
• Havering Emergency Financial Assistance Scheme
• Food banks addresses

Visit London Borough of Havering: Emergency help | Money advice and benefits help | The London Borough Of Havering  

If you don’t have enough money to live on, you might be able to get help to afford essentials like bills and food, including:

• Help with essential costs
• Help with energy bills, rent, council tax and other bills
• Help paying for food, with health costs, travel costs
• Help with your energy and water if you're disabled
• Help if you have children or are pregnant

For more information and eligibility, please visit Citizens Advice website: 

Get help with the cost of living - Citizens Advice

There is a range of support to help with the cost of travel:

• For information on support with travel cost of attending NHS hospital appoitments under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) available on NHS website, please visit:

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

• For information on Blue Badge, Disabled Freedom Pass or Older Persons Freedom Pass and other support, please visit the London Borough of Havering website:

Apply for or renew a Blue Badge | Help with travel | The London Borough Of Havering

MEDICAL EVIDENCE: Please note your GP should NOT be asked for specific information for your mobility application and an appointment should not be made solely for the purpose of obtaining medical letters/reports for your application, but you should provide existing documentation in line with your routine medical appointments.

For information on acceptable documents please visit: Blue Badge Scheme Havering Guidance

You may also want to use NHS Account to obtain medical records, to access your NHS account visit: Log in - NHS App Online (service.nhs.uk)