About the Crisis Payment scheme
Medway residents in a crisis can apply for support through our Crisis Payment scheme.
Funded by the UK government's Crisis and Resilience Fund, Crisis Payments aim to:
- support low-income individuals who are experiencing budget and wellbeing pressure due to an unexpected expense or drop in income
- prevent people from entering crisis by providing timely support to manage pressures and maintain control
- prevent crises from growing.
You may apply for a Crisis Payment even if you do not receive benefits.
How we can help
We’ll provide support to applicants through:
- physical or digital cash payments (for example, via bank transfer or cash-out vouchers)
- vouchers
- supply of goods.
Crisis Payments cannot replace regular income. They are for occasional or short-term needs.
The payments can provide support with:
- essential and priority bills
- housing costs
- food and other essential items (for example, period and hygiene products, and clothing including uniform, warm winter clothing and shoes)
- furniture and appliances (for example, beds and bedding, washing machines, window coverings and carpets, fridge-freezers and ovens)
- digital and connectivity essentials (for example, broadband or phone bills)
- essential transport-related costs (for example, repairing a car, buying a bicycle or bus pass or paying for fuel)
- utilities, including:
- water (for example, drinking, washing, cooking, sanitary purposes and sewerage)
- energy (for any form of fuel that is used for domestic heating, cooking or lighting, including oil or portable gas cylinders).
More about the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
