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Date updated: 15/06/2026

The Emergency Support Scheme can help if you are facing a crisis, emergency or disaster and are unable to afford essentials. In order to access this support, you must meet the requirements below.

This scheme aims to support and assist those

  • experiencing a crisis or an emergency
  • being resettled into the community following a period in institutional or residential care
  • needing support to prevent them from entering institutional or residential care
  • families under exceptional pressure
  • setting up home as part of a planned resettlement

Types of support available

Depending on your reason for applying to the Emergency Support Scheme, support can include payments for:

  • food
  • fuel
  • clothing
  • furniture
  • white goods
  • emergency travel
  • other household items

In order to qualify for the scheme, you must:

  • be 16 years of age or over
  • live in the City of London. Those living in City of London Corporation properties outside of the City must apply to their host borough for assistance, please visit the GOV.UK website to find your local authority
  • be living in temporary accommodation provided by the City of London Corporation and have been offered permanent accommodation in a City Corporation property
  • those recently placed in temporary accommodation or moving between different temporary accommodation properties are not eligible for help and should contact their Housing Officer or Key worker for advice
  • not having savings of more than £6,000
  • have an income of less than £30,000 per year, or be in receipt of at least one of the benefits outlined below:
    • Bereavement Benefit
    • Carer's Allowance
    • Employment & Support Allowance (ESA - contributory)
    • Housing Benefit
    • Incapacity Benefit
    • Industrial Death Benefit
    • Industrial Injuries Benefit
    • Jobseeker's Allowance
    • Maternity Allowance
    • Pension Credit
    • Universal Credit
    • Widows Benefit

If you are not eligible for support from this scheme, please visit our Cost of Living support page for other forms of help that you may be able to access.

Applying for the scheme

Please note the City of London Emergency Support Scheme is being replaced by the Crisis Resilience Fund.

The new scheme is currently being finalised and is expected to open by 1 July 2026.

The Crisis Resilience Fund is not yet open for applications, but if you need help now, please email benefits@cityoflondon.gov.uk

We will update this page as soon as further details are available.

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