Southwark News, Thursday February 23 2023
www.southwarknews.co.uk/news
NEWS 11
Photo by Cost Of Living by Nick Youngson
What support is still available in Southwark for you to claim? If you are not on state benefits
By Isabel Ramirez isabel@southwarknews.co.uk If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, here’s an up-to-date guide to what support is available here in Southwark and how to apply if you are eligible.
Financial support for energy bills comes under two categories: those who are on low income but do not receive any state benefits or pension and those who receive benefits. In this case, low income is classified as a household income of no more than about £20k per year or £400 per week after housing costs (rent or mortgage) and taxes (income tax and national insurance). Councils all run their own
individual schemes and these vary. Southwark Council has the Cost of Living Support Fund, which is largely funded by the Household Support Fund - and the Southwark Emergency Support Scheme. The Household Support Fund is the money the government is giving to councils and unitary authorities to help people with their bills. This ends on March 31 - the amount for the next financial year has not yet been confirmed. Through the Cost of Living Fund made up of council and national funding, 16,000 households have received a £100 one-off payment, and this week that the council allocated an extra £750k in the budget for 2023/24 so that we can continue to support residents.
If you are on state benefits
For those who receive benefits the Southwark Emergency Support Scheme (SESS) is the one to apply for.
What is it and who can apply?
If you’re claiming one of the benefits listed below please apply to the Southwark Emergency Support Scheme (SESS) instead. It is for Southwark residents who are facing a crisis, emergency or disaster and needs help. • Universal Credit • Pension Credit • Employment and Support Allowance (income based) • Jobseekers Allowance (income
based) • Income Support • Working Tax Credit NOTE: You can apply to Southwark Emergency Support Scheme if you or your partner are receiving one of the benefits listed below or have made a claim for one or more of these benefits in the last six weeks and are waiting for a decision on a claim. In most instances, as well as receiving one of the benefits mentioned above, you must also: • have been living in Southwark for at least 3 months • be 16 years of age or older. They will only consider applications made by the main householder.
For people who are on low income but do not receive any state benefits or pension, you could be help by the Southwark Council Cost of Living Support Fund
What is it?
The Cost of Living Fund is for people who live in Southwark, have a low income, pay towards their energy bills and are in urgent need of cash support. To be clear, the money is to help pay your heating and food bills. You can claim £100 as a one-off payment. Only one claim per customer is allowed. Southwark Council is urging people to apply as soon as possible, as renewed funds from the government have not yet been confirmed.
How to apply
You will need to fill out a form that will take around 10 to 15 minutes. There are three steps to make your claim: 1. You will be asked for information to confirm you are eligible for a payment from this scheme 2. You will be asked for some information about your circumstances so that the council can understand more about people applying for emergency support this way - they won’t use this information for any other
How is it paid?
They normally provide goods or services rather than cash. For example, you might qualify for a food gift card or help with your energy bills.
How do I apply?
To access the form, go to southwark.gov. uk/benefits-and-support/emergencysupport. Click ‘Apply for emergency support - I’m claiming benefits.’ Click ‘Make an application’ and fill out the form.
What will I be asked?
You will be asked standard questions like your name, address and about your
You can now borrow formal clothes from Brixton Library for job interviews By Isabel Ramirez
isabel@southwarknews.co.uk Local job seekers can now request and borrow workwear free from Brixton Library so they can look their best for interviews.
ihateironing, a laundry service based in Brixton, has partnered with Brixton Library to relaunch their Workwear Scheme,which helps job seekers in South London look their best in interviews by lending them formal clothes. They can borrow the clothes for a period of four days at a time and have the option of requesting garments for their interviews to make sure they get the clothes and sizes they need. The laundry service collects clothes
from their customers and anyone else who wants to donate professionally cleans them and donates them to the library. Every time the clothes are rented and returned, they will be cleaned once again to make sure they’re always looking brand new before returning to the library. The scheme is now a permanent service within Brixton Library - and people can easily book an appointment or simply walk in to ask about it. For more about ihateironing and Brixton Library Workwear Scheme, email them reena@ihateironing.com. To donate clothes to the scheme, please go to their website ihateironing.com. They can collect from these postcodes: CR0, CR2, CR7, SE19, SE20, SE21, SE22, SE23, SE24, SE25, SE26, SE27, SW16
3.
reason You will then be asked for your address and some other details so they can send you the payment, once they have confirmed you are eligible.
What will I be asked?
The questions include asking about your eligibility and about who lives in your household. You may be asked the name of your energy provider. You will also be asked to provide one of the following: • National insurance number • Council tax account number • Home Office temporary number You will be asked to provide either an email or telephone number.
Why am I being asked for my national insurance number?
This acts as a safeguard to protect the fund from fraud and is standard practice for claims of this nature.
How to access the online form
To access the form, go to southwark.gov. uk/benefits-and-support/cost-of-livingsupport/southwark-council-cost-ofliving-fund-scolf. Click ‘Apply for support from the Cost of Living Fund’. Read the instructions and go to the bottom of the page and click ‘continue’
accommodation - as well as the benefits you claim and your national insurance number. You will be asked to provide either an email or telephone number. You will be asked for supporting evidence. You must provide: • Your most recent 2 months’ bank statements for all accounts you hold • Your most recent 2 months’ wage slips • Evidence that you’ve recently made a claim for Universal Credit They will ask you for evidence to support your application. If you can’t provide this, they may refuse it.
and you will be directed to the form.
Having trouble with the online form?
Their advice is to call this number 020 7525 2434 if you can’t get online and need help applying for it.
What happens next?
The council will check whether you’re eligible for a payment. If you are, you will get a Post Office payout voucher through the post. If you gave them your email, they will email you when your claim has been processed to tell you whether or not it was successful. The vouchers will be posted out by firstclass mail and delivered within 7 to 10 days. You can take your voucher barcode letter to any Post Office to get a payment in cash. You will need to show your ID to cash your voucher. You can use one of the following forms of ID: • Passport • Photo Driving Licence • National Identity Card (for EU citizens) • Official government letter including your name and address such as: Southwark Council rent statement, Council Tax bill, Letter confirming receipt of Housing Benefit, Universal Credit or similar, NHS letter, A letter from the Home Office
NOTE: If you don’t submit it with your application, Southwark Council will contact you by email, telephone or letter, to ask for it.
What happens next?
You can submit your application at any time and they will assess it during office hours as soon as possible. They’ll let you know their decision by email. If you’re successful, they will let you know what to do next. NOTE: Decisions are made based on your eligibility and your reasons for applying. If you are having trouble with the online form call 020 7525 2434 they can help you complete your application.
