Resident Support Fund

The Brent Resident Support Fund (RSF) is a discretionary support fund available to Brent residents who are in financial difficulties this winter, for example struggling with food, utility bills and other household essentials. You can also apply if you are in short-term financial need because of an emergency.  

The fund provides additional help in the form of an interest-free loan, grant or both.

You can apply if you:

• are a Brent resident
• aged 18 and over
• have less than £6,000 savings
• need support with 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 comply with any reasonable conditions concerning the payment award, including 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).

And, due to unforeseen circumstances, you are having difficulty:

• paying utility bills
• covering the cost of new essential white goods e.g. Washing machine, fridge etc. 
• keeping up with monthly repayments of debts (we may not be able cover all historical debts - you may also be referred to our credit union for an interest free loan).
• finding new employment and could benefit from some help with skills training (we do not pay for courses where a Bursary or Student Loan is available)
• paying funeral costs due to an unexpected death but you do not qualify for the Government Funeral Payment scheme.

The Resident Support Fund can cover:

• rent or mortgage arrears, even if you are already getting Housing Benefit or Universal credit
• Council Tax arrears
• household expenditure (food and utility bills, new essential white goods )
• paying off debts e.g. credit card loans (you will be referred to our credit union for an interest-free loan if your debt is more than 6 months old) 
• counselling and mental health services
• skills training to support employment (we do not pay for courses where a Bursary or Student Loan is available)
• getting access to the internet, a laptop or both. (You will need to apply for this using the Resident Support Fund Digital Form)
• Essentials linked to energy and water, including soap, sanitary products, winter clothing, blankets, boiler service/repair
• Transport related costs due to winter
• Increased costs for the winter such as food, fuel and other essentials

There are limited funds available. To ensure the scheme supports the most vulnerable this winter, it is unlikely that applications asking to cover the costs of the following will be accepted:

• parking fines, ULEZ or congestion charges
• financial support already awarded through another council fund (Discretionary Housing Payment)
• court expenses (legal proceedings) such as legal fees, court fees, fines, costs, damages or subsistence
• expenses for self-employed businesses
• repairs and improvements to the home (except boiler servicing or boiler repair and essential white goods)
• any need that occurs outside of the UK
• medical expenses/ treatments or items of medication
• domestic assistance and respite care
• repairs to a Local Authority property or the property of housing trusts

You must be willing to provide any reasonable supporting information that is needed by us to make a decision and take any reasonable steps we may suggest. 

You must apply for the Residents Support Fund before we can make an award.

Before you start

To apply for the Residents Support Fund you will need evidence of:

• rent or mortgage arrears
• utility bill arrears
• any other arrears

Make sure you have all the information you need to hand before you start. You will get a decision faster if you can provide this when you make your application.

Apply

If you think you meet the above criteria, you can apply online.

If you need help with an application please visit Brent Customer Services.

Resident Support Fund

Resident Support Fund digital form

If you want help getting access to the internet, a laptop or both, you need to apply using Residents Support Fund Digital Form.

You can save, retrieve and continue with an application you have already started.  When you save your form, you will receive an application reference number by email. To retrieve an existing application, you just need to enter this number. Draft applications will be deleted after 14 days. 

Due to high demand, we aim to process your application within 8 to 10 weeks. You will receive confirmation from us once we have decided. If you are at risk of losing your home, or need support as a matter of urgency, please call us on 020 8937 1800 to receive assistance.

If you have requested help towards your rent, mortgage or Council Tax, we may pay any funds awarded directly into the associated account.  

If your grant application is unsuccessful, we may be able to refer you to a credit union to help you with an interest-free loan.

If you are struggling to make ends meet, you should seek help and advice on how to manage your budget and make your money go further.

If you need help with debt or have multiple support needs, you can arrange to speak to someone at one of our Brent Hubs.