Community support awards

Community support awards are usually provision of basic household items and furniture.

When you can get a community support award

Situations that may qualify for a community support award include:

  • you and your family are under exceptional pressure, for example, due to a relationship breakdown, a house fire or flooding
  • you or a member of your family is returning to the community from formal care, for example, a care home, hospital or prison
  • you're on a resettlement programme following homelessness or domestic violence
  • you or someone you care for needs help to stay in the community
  • you're caring for a prisoner or young offender on release on a temporary licence
  • you have one-off travel expenses for certain journeys, for example, visiting someone in hospital.

When you can't get a community support award

Situations that usually won't qualify for a community support award include:

  • educational or training needs
  • regular travel expenses
  • school meals
  • expenses in connection with court
  • home help or respite care
  • medical, surgical, optical, aural or dental items or services
  • work-related expenses
  • Council Tax and water charges
  • housing-related costs 
  • fuel and standing charges
  • telephone costs
  • maternity or funeral expenses.

Apply for a community support award