Get help if you're in an emergency financial situation

You can only apply for the crisis payment scheme online.

If you need help completing the form, call the Crisis Payment Scheme team.

What happens next

We’ll assess your claim and decide if the scheme can help you. If so, we’ll decide whether a community support award or emergency support payment is suitable.

How quickly you'll get help depends on what type of support you're awarded. We usually award crisis payments within 48 hours while community support awards can take up to 3 weeks.

If you're not happy with the decision

You can ask for a review of your decision if you're not happy with the decision on your claim.

You must write to the Crisis Payment Scheme team within one month of the date you get your decision notice. You must include:

• the reason you disagree with the decision
• what you would like us to do
• your full name and address