Crisis Payments
What are Crisis Payments?
Crisis Payments are funded by the UK Government as part of the Crisis and Resilience Fund. They can provide quick, short-term help to Tameside residents who encounter an unexpected financial shock and find themselves in sudden financial crisis.
They do not provide support for ongoing financial hardship linked to general budgeting pressures where there is no immediate crisis trigger.
Who can apply?
To be eligible you must be:
- Age 16 or over
- A Tameside resident or be able to demonstrate you are about to become a Tameside resident (if you have been placed by Tameside Council in another area, please email us for assistance)
- Experiencing an immediate crisis as defined by the crisis payment policy
- Unable to meet essential needs without financial support, this includes access to savings or availability of other grants
- On a low income
- Have not applied within the last 6 months (if you have received a crisis payment within the last 6 months and are experiencing a new or exceptional crisis, please email us for advice)
What counts as a financial shock?
For the scheme, a financial shock is a sudden unexpected expense, drop in income or change of circumstances, that is placing financial pressures on a household budget and wellbeing.
This could include:
- Fire, flood or other disasters causing significant damage to possessions or property
- Accident or health emergency that creates immediate hardship
- Fleeing domestic abuse
- Breakage of essential item
- Short-term gap in regular income
What help is available?
The type of help available will depend on your individual circumstances and may include:
- Food
- Toiletries and personal hygiene items
- Energy support
- Clothing
- Essential furniture and white goods (for example, beds, washing machines, fridges and cookers)
- Essential travel costs
- Digital and connectivity essentials
How to apply
Online
You can apply online
Through a professional referrer
A support worker, social worker, GP, or charity can apply on your behalf with your consent.
In person
You can book a face-to-face or telephone appointment to complete an application form via Customer Services by calling 0161 342 8355, by emailing cs.referrals@tameside.gov.uk, or by visiting your local library during their staffed opening times.
Evidence you need to provide with your application
To support your application, you will be required to provide supporting evidence. This includes:
- Proof of income for you and your partner (if you have one)
- Bank statements for all accounts, for you and your partner (if you have one) for the most recent one month up to the date of application
- We may ask for evidence of income of other adults in the property if required
- Evidence of the crisis event where appropriate
- Evidence of household essential expenditure and immediate need if required
What happens next?
We will review your application and once all required evidence is received, we will aim to make a decision as quickly as possible, usually within 2 working days.
We will advise of the outcome, any next steps and information regarding any referrals to support services by phone, email or letter.
If you are unhappy with the outcome of your application
You can ask the Council to review the decision.
Contact the crisis payments team within 10 working days of the original decision.
Reviews will be undertaken by an officer who was not involved in the original decision.
The Crisis Payment scheme is discretionary and is not subject to a statutory appeals process.
Complaints can be made using the Council’s complaints procedure.
Other Support Available
- Family Hubs
- Citizens Advice Tameside - Free, confidential and impartial advice - 0808 278 7805 (Monday to Friday 9am – 1pm)
- Welfare Rights - 0800 074 9985 (Monday and Wednesday 9.30am – 12.30pm)
- ‘Helping Hand Tameside’ can help you find local support services to assist with the cost of living, your mental health and wellbeing
You can find more information on the other cost of living support available at the Government’s Cost of Living Hub
Contact information
- Contact Centre 0161 342 8355
For details on how we use your personal information please see our privacy notice at Crisis and Resilience Fund and Crisis Payments Privacy Notice