Below you will find a range of information to support you with the cost of living. if you have any questions, please contact Brent Council directly or speak to a member of staff in school who will do their best to assist you.
Click on the link below to access support and advice from Brent Council:
https://www.brent.gov.uk/costofliving
Brent Council Cost of Living Booklet
Support With Cost of Living Booklet
Resident Support Fund
Overview: The Brent Resident Support fund is available to Brent residents who are having difficulty due to unforeseen financial circumstances. Brent residents can apply for financial support, for up to £1000.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Brent Resident aged 18 or over
- have less than £6,000 in savings
- need support in meeting your day to day living expenses including food and utility bills
- are not seeking support to pay for an excluded item
- are willing to meet any reasonable conditions concerning the payment award, for example, support from advice agencies
- have not had more than two RSF awards in one financial year (except during exceptional circumstances e.g. moving house)
The Resident Support Fund can cover:
- Increased household expenditure such as food and utility bills
- Council Tax arrears
- Rent arrears if you are not already getting Housing Benefit or Universal credit (if you are getting Housing Benefit or Universal Credit already, you should apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment instead).
- White goods if you have moved into a new unfurnished rented property. (Please note that this is capped at £400 per application)
- Counselling and mental health services
- Access to the internet, a laptop or both
- Essentials linked to energy and water, including soap, sanitary products, winter clothing, blankets, boiler service/repair
- Increased costs for the winter such as food, fuel and other essentials
How to apply: You can apply for this fund using the online application form: https://www.brent.gov.uk/benefits-and-money-advice/resident-support-fund#howtoapplyrsf
Household Support Fund
Discretionary one off payment
- Rent shortfall
- Rent deposits
- Rent in advance if you need to move home
Eligibility requirement
- Live in Brent
- Have a liability to pay rent
- Receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit
How to apply: You can make an application online through ‘My Account’
Support paying your Council Tax
The Council Tax Support scheme. To be eligible you must be living in the property as your main home and have less than £6,000 in savings. The level of support is based on household income
How to apply: You can make an application online through ‘My Account’
Brent Hubs
Overview:
Brent hubs can provide support and advice to Brent residents who are struggling to pay their utility bills this winter.
Support includes:
- Assistance with completing funding applications for support from local and national schemes, including the Brent Resident Support Fund
- Referral routes to other advisory agencies who specialise in energy support such as Green Doctors and SHINE
- Referral routes to food banks and emergency supermarket vouchers
- Urgent support with topping up pre-payment gas and electricity meters
How to access support:
Brent Hubs operate a drop in service: https://www.brenthubs.com/
Alternatively, to speak to someone from the Brent Hubs team, residents can call 020 8937 1234. Telephones are open Monday to Friday, from 11am to 3pm.
