Crisis Payment Scheme

Short of money for the essentials after something unexpected? 

A Crisis Payment may be able to help if you live in East Sussex, are on a low income, and something unexpected has happened. 

You don’t have to be on benefits. You don’t have to pay it back. 

It’s for when something unexpected causes a financial shock. That means something happens that you couldn’t plan for, so you don’t have money for essentials. 

Apply online: www.citizensadvice1066.co.uk/contactus 

Or call free on 0800 054 8354. Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. 

To keep it fair, we check every application, including your identity and address, and whether you’ve had a Crisis Payment recently, or other help for the same thing. 

Crisis and Resilience Fund 

A Crisis Payment helps with right now. You can also get help with what comes next. That’s because the Crisis Payment is part of the Crisis and Resilience Fund. 

“Resilience” means being able to cope with, and recover from, something unexpected that hits your money, like losing income or a sudden bill. So as well as payments, the fund pays for advice and support across East Sussex, through Children’s Services, advice agencies, housing and employability services, and food partnerships. 

When you contact us, we’ll look at what else could help. We can check you’re getting all the benefits you’re owed, and help with debt, budgeting or energy bills. Where we can, we’ll put you in touch with the right organisation directly. 

When can we give a Crisis Payment? 

We may be able to help after: 

• a sudden loss of income, like cut hours, a lost job, or benefits that have stopped 

• an emergency cost for something you or your family can’t manage without 

• a relationship breaking down, or having to leave home because it wasn’t safe 

• an essential household item breaking down, like a cooker or fridge 

• a fire or flood, a bereavement, or a medical emergency 

• money being lost or stolen 

Or another situation that leaves you unable to pay for essentials. You don’t have to prove whose fault it was. 

Not sure if that’s you? Ask anyway. We’ll talk it through with you. 

What it can help with 

One-off support may be available for urgent essentials, such as: 

• food 

• toiletries and period products 

• heating and energy 

• clothing, including school uniform 

• essential household items, like a bed, a cooker or a fridge 

• transport 

• a phone or internet, if you need it to stay safe or to work 

What it can’t help with 

• rent, a deposit or rent arrears. Ask your district or borough council about a Housing Payment 

• ongoing money problems, like always running short at the end of the month. If that’s you, we can still help with benefits, debt and budgeting. Over time, that can make a bigger difference 

• things that aren’t essential 

• regular bills, or costs you know are coming

• anything insurance or another scheme already covers 

How to apply 

• Online at www.citizensadvice1066.co.uk/contactus. Please use this form if you can. 

• By phone, free, on 0800 054 8354. 

• In person at any Citizens Advice office in East Sussex. The ESCC cost of living pages give details of the Local Citizens Advice locations and list all the organisations able to support you if you are dealing with a difficult financial situation. 

You won’t miss out if you can’t get online. 

Someone can apply for you. That could be a friend, a family member, or an organisation that is helping you. They’ll need your permission to share your details with us. 

Tell us if you need an interpreter, British Sign Language, Easy Read or help going online or filling in the form. 

What you’ll need 

It helps if you have a recent bank statement ready, and anything that shows what’s happened. We do need evidence of the financial shock. There’s no set list. We only ask for what we need to make a decision. 

If you’re not sure what you have, tell us. We’ll talk it through. 

What happens next 

• Someone from the Crisis Payment team will contact you to talk about what’s happened. 

• They’ll ask for the evidence we need. 

• Once we have it, we aim to make a decision within two working days. 

• If it’s a yes, the money usually goes straight into your bank account, often the same day. Sometimes we pay another way, like a voucher you can turn into cash. 

• You’ll get the decision in writing. 

In the first few weeks, we’re expecting a lot of applications, so it may take longer to hear back. Thank you for your patience. If an organisation is already helping you, talk to them. They can tell us if your situation is urgent. 

If things get a lot worse while you wait, tell us. 

Can I get more than one? 

For most people, payments will be a one-off.  If you do need help again, you can re-apply, but there is usually a gap of at least three months between payments. If something new happens before then, you may be able to get more support. It will depend on your circumstances. 

If the answer is no 

We’ll tell you why, in writing, and where else you can get help. 

If you think the decision is wrong, you can ask us to look at it again. If you’re still not happy, you can appeal. You can do this by emailing us appeals@citizensadvice1066.co.uk  If you are not able to get online please call 0800 054 8354.  

If you’re still not happy after that, you can contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. 

Families with a social worker or key worker 

Families being supported by a key worker or social worker can access crisis payments directly through them. Please speak to them in the first instance using the contact details they have given you. [Text Wrapping Break] 

Further advice is available through the Family Advice Line. Phone: 01323 46 46 55  

Open 8.30am to 5pm weekdays, except Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.[Text Wrapping Break] 

Families who may need more support please contact your local family hub. Find your local family hub | Family hubs[Text Wrapping Break] 

If you have no recourse to public funds 

You may still be able to get help under certain circumstances. Ask us. 

If you’re worried about your immigration status, we can help you get free, independent immigration advice. 

Keeping you safe from scams 

This help is free. Nobody from the Crisis Payment team will ever ask you for a fee, your PIN or your passwords. If anyone does, it’s a scam. Don’t reply, and tell your bank straight away. 

We keep your information safe. Read our privacy notice.  

For organisations 

If you’re supporting someone, please refer them through the webform at www.citizensadvice1066.co.uk/contactus. It takes you through the person’s consent to share their details. Please leave your own contact details as well as theirs. 

If you’re unsure whether someone qualifies, refer anyway. 

Other help 

• East Sussex Welfare Benefits Helpline: 0333 344 0681 

• Cost of living help in East Sussex: eastsussex.gov.uk/CostOfLiving 

• Housing Payments: ask your district or borough council: Eastbourne and Lewes, Hastings, Rother, Wealden 

About the Crisis Payment