This scheme is a grant system designed to help people who are trying to set themselves up in the community after a period of unsettlement, people that are under exceptional pressure, and people with short term emergency needs.

To see whether you qualify for the award you will need to answer some questions about who lives in your household, your income and savings, and your reason for applying.

 The scheme covers help with:

¨      Recycled Furniture – such as a bed, sofa, wardrobe, table

¨      Household Goods  – such as bedding, crockery, cutlery

¨      White Goods – such as a cooker, fridge, washing machine

¨      Clothing and Footwear - including School Uniform in Exceptional Circumstances

¨      Travel Costs – visiting a parent, partner or child from the borough placed in a hospital outside the borough

¨      General Living Expenses – these are day to day living expenses such as groceries, nappies, toiletries, cleaning/hygiene products, money for pay as you go fuel meters

If you are awarded the grant you will not be paid in cash or into a bank account.There is no cash paid. Instead it will be:

• Allpay Cards
• High quality recycled furniture from reputable charity
• White goods from a reputable local dealer

For help with general living expenses please call the team on 0300 790 0124. For help with any of the other items use the online claim form on the website www.southend.gov.uk/elfforessex