Emergency help
If you have an unexpected emergency expense you may be able to get help.
Vulnerable households across the country may be able to access funds to help them with the rising cost of living, for example if you are struggling to buy food or pay for essential utility bills or other essential living costs.
Go to our general financial support page to see the help you could get
You can also follow further updates by subscribing to our regular residents email newsletter Living in Havering.
Citizen's Advice
Citizen's Advice offer information on:
- help for one-off expenses – the Social Fund
- help with the costs of a new baby - maternity grants
- funeral payments
- cold weather payments
- community care grants and welfare schemes
- budgeting loans
- crisis loans and welfare schemes
- advance payment of benefit
- discrimination and the Social Fund
Emergency Assistance Scheme
This scheme provides genuine support to the most financially vulnerable people in Havering.
Please note: Due to Christmas and New Year the last Claims for the Emergency Assistant Scheme will be on 18 December 2024 for payments to reach bank accounts by 24 December 2024.
Claims will be reinstated on 6 January 2025 for payments to reach bank accounts by 10 January 2025.
Apply for emergency assistance
Food banks
The food banks work with frontline care agencies that identify people in crisis and issue them with a food bank voucher.
There are three food banks in the borough.
Liberty Credit Union
Liberty credit union is a community-based savings and loans organisation, open to anyone who lives or works in the borough.
They offer an easy-