If you're struggling with living costs or don't have enough money for basics like food, gas or electricity, H&F Council can help.
Our Hardship Prevention Fund offers one-off payments of up to £900 to residents who have no other financial support.
The fund has been created to help residents pay for day-to-day essential expenses, it is not money that you will need to pay back.
Find out more about our Hardship Prevention Fund here.
Check your eligibility
There are lots of reasons why you or your family may be eligible for support from the fund.
Jane* recently received a payment after moving from temporary to permanent accommodation.
She wasn't eligible for a Local Support Payment, because she wasn't receiving any benefits, but didn't have enough money to buy white goods or essential household items for her new home.
After speaking to our Cost-of-Living team and applying for support, she received a Hardship Prevention payment and was able to buy a kitchen starter set, bedding, a wardrobe and a washing machine for her flat.
Local resident and single mother Sarah* has also received support from the fund. After moving with her three children into a new home, Sarah was struggling to afford a food shop while also paying to top up her gas and electricity meters.
Over the last year Sarah has contact our Cost-of-Living team twice and has received £300 each time to help her meet her family's daily living costs.
We also recently supported an older couple who was not eligible for a state pension or Universal Credit. They contacted our Cost-of-Living team as they didn't have any income available until their Pension Credit was assessed. The team was able to help, ensuring the pair could continue to pay their bills.
Eligible residents may also include those who:
- have lost their winter fuel allowance, have no additional financial resources, and are worried about winter bills,
- are in arrears with gas, electricity and/or water bills,
- are on a low income and need help to replace a child's uniform, shoes, or winter coat,
- are living with family or friends and can't meet current living costs.
Further support
If you are struggling with the rising cost of living, there's lots of support on offer.
Find out some of the help on offer here or visit our dedicated cost-of-living webpages.
Our Cost-of-Living team is also on hand to help. You can:
- call them on our free phone number 0800 917 6994. The line is open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
- visit the team at 145 King Street in Hammersmith, between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday
- email them at costoflivingteam@lbhf.gov.uk
*Not their real names.
