Resident and Household Support Fund

The Brent Resident Support Fund (RSF) is a discretionary support fund available to Brent residents who are in financial difficulties, 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 RSF is funded primarily by Brent Council and the Household Support Fund of the Department for Work and Pensions.

To make sure that the limited funds can be used to support as many residents as possible, the maximum total award per application will be £500.

Please note from 1 April 2023 you can only make one application in the 12 rolling months, regardless of any previous application outcome.

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 made a RSF application in the last 12 rolling months, regardless of any previous application outcomes.

Please note: RSF applications are assessed per couple, not per individual. If one partner in a couple has made an application within the last 12 months, any application submitted by the other partner during this period will be declined.

This restriction applies only to partners and does not affect other adult members of the household, such as non-dependants or lodgers.

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. There will be a limit on support towards white goods of £400.
• counselling and mental health services
• 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
• paying off debts e.g. credit card loans (you will be referred to our credit union for an interest-free loan) 

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
• 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. 

Before you start

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

• your most recent statements for all bank accounts (please include your partner’s bank statements if you have a partner)
• you most recent utility bill, if applicable.

Make sure you have all the information you need to hand before you start.

You must upload the information required with the application form. An award will not be made if you do not upload this information with 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. 

We are currently experiencing a high volume of applications. Please be assured that we are processing applications in date order, and it may take up to 6 weeks before you hear the outcome of your application.

For applications for devices, please note it may take up to 12 weeks due to high demand and limited availability.

If you are at risk of losing your home or need urgent support, please call us on 020 8937 1800 for 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.

The government is offering help for households. See what support is available to help with the cost of living. You can find information on:

• Energy saving tips
• Energy bills
• Mortgage payments
• Household costs
• Childcare costs
• Income support
• Travel costs
• Mental health

Visit GOV.UK Help for Households website