Other emergency financial help

Wandsworth residents can visit Wandsworth Council’s new Cost of Living online hub for lots of useful information to help local people and families with cost of living pressures, or you can phone 0808 175 3339 to speak to an adviser (closed Bank holidays).

This includes information about support grants from Wandsworth Council for residents on low incomes who can’t afford essential costs like rent, council tax, food and energy costs. These are grants not loans, so you won’t need to pay them back.

You can also apply if you’ve been housed by Wandsworth Council in temporary housing in another borough.

Crisis grants for food, gas and electricity

You can apply for a crisis grant from Wandsworth Council, up to 3 times in 12 months. These are supermarket vouchers (from £35-55 per person in your household, up to a maximum award of £230), and gas and electricity vouchers for pre-payment meters only (£15 or £25 on each, depending on household size).

Residents who do not have online access can go to the Customer Centre at Wandsworth Town Hall for assistance. If you have difficulties attending the Customer Centre, you can phone Wandsworth Council on 020 8871 6000 for help applying – or try the Cost of Living helpline on 0808 175 3339.

Discretionary housing payment

You can apply for a discretionary housing payments (DHP) if you’re receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit (including a housing element), and need extra help with housing costs because your benefit doesn’t cover your full rent. This can include covering a shortfall for bedroom tax, if you’re waiting to downsize or willing to consider downsizing.

Community care grant

You can apply for a community care grant for essential white goods (eg cooker, fridge with a small freezer compartment) and essential furniture like beds or a table and chairs, if you’re experiencing hardship and are in receipt of qualifying benefits. We understand that in exceptional circumstances (for instance if you’re a carer for a disabled family member), the Council will consider a grant for a washing machine.

Other sources of financial help include:

Wandsworth WRAP up warm this winter

Wandsworth Council has organised a free service with Thinking Works to help residents on the lowest incomes, people with a disability or long-term health condition, and people with children under 5 or who are pregnant to keep warm and well in winter. This can include one prepayment gas or electric voucher worth up to £49. Find out more here.

Free online benefits checker

It’s estimated that more than seven million UK households could be missing out on benefits. You can check you’re receiving all the benefits that you’re entitled to, using a free online benefits calculator like Turn2Us or Entitled To.

Council Tax Reduction

Council Tax Reduction helps people who are on a low income to pay part or all of their council tax. We meet many people who are eligible but don’t know about Council Tax Reduction. You can find out more about who is eligible or make a Council Tax Reduction claim on Wandsworth Council’s website. If you can’t access the online form, you can call 020 8871 8081 for assistance.

Council tax discount

You can get 25% off your Council Tax bill if you live in Wandsworth Borough and you’re the only adult living in your home. This is different from Council Tax Reduction. You can find out more online about Council Tax discounts from Wandsworth Council, or apply online for a Single Person Discount.

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill, if you’re on a very low income and have high energy costs, or you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you. If you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter, your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible (for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter).

NHS Healthy Start scheme for families with young children

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk from NHS Healthy Start. If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. Your money will be added onto this card every 4 weeks. You can apply by emailing [email protected] or phoning 0300 330 7010. Find out more here.

Means-tested free school meals and Pupil Premium

If you are in receipt of certain benefits and you have school-age children who you’re responsible for, you can apply for benefit-related free school meals. This is different from universal free school meals, and has the additional benefit that your child will be eligible for holiday supermarket vouchers from Wandsworth Council for your child, and your child’s school will also receive extra Pupil Premium funding. To apply, please speak to your child’s school. More info here.

Wandsworth Council School Uniform Support Scheme

Wandsworth Council’s school uniform grants are for local children who receive means-tested free school meals, who are starting primary or secondary school in the borough. Families who are eligible will be contacted directly. However Wandsworth families who think they’re eligible for means-tested Free School Meals (Pupil Premium) but haven’t received an email voucher, can contact: [email protected]  

JobCentre Plus Travel discount

If you’re unemployed and receiving Universal Credit or Jobseekers Allowance, you may be eligible for a JobCentre Plus Travel Discount, which gives 50% off pay-as-you-go adult fares to travel on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line (except between West Drayton and Reading) and most National Rail services in London. More information here.

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