Emergency Support Scheme

Lambeth’s Emergency Support Scheme can help if you’re a resident facing a crisis, emergency or disaster.

Who can use this scheme

The Emergency Support Scheme is available to you if you are:

  • experiencing a crisis, emergency or disaster
  • being resettled into the community following a period in institutional or residential care
  • in need of support to prevent you entering institutional or residential care
  • setting up home as part of a planned resettlement

In order to qualify for the scheme you must:

  • live in Lambeth
  • be 16+ years of age
  • have lived in Lambeth for at least 6 weeks prior to applying (released prisoners, those fleeing domestic or gang violence, people living in temporary council accommodation or registered care projects are exempted from this requirement)
  • not have savings of more than £6,000
  • have an income of less than £30,000 per year, or be in receipt of at least one of the benefits outlined below

For most forms of support, be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits:

  • Bereavement Benefit
  • Carer’s Allowance
  • Council Tax Support (CTS)
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA - contributory)
  • Incapacity Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Industrial Death Benefit
  • Industrial Injuries Benefit
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Maternity Allowance
  • Tax Credits
  • Widows Benefit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Universal Credit
  • any type of Pension Credit.

You will be eligible to apply to the scheme once per year only.