Emergency assistance fund
Our emergency assistance fund provides emergency assistance to Swindon residents who need it:
- where there has been an unexpected serious emergency or crisis, which includes COVID-19, and there is a significant risk of harm to you or your family if no assistance is given
- where a vulnerable person in the community needs help with basic housing needs or food to prevent homelessness or hardship
- where you or your family requires assistance moving into, or remaining in the community
If you are unable to leave your home because you're self-isolating, please call 01793 445500.
If you are able to leave your home and can't afford supplies due to extreme financial hardship, and you do not have a support network, we may be able to help by providing one of the following:
- Providing food vouchers or bags
- Signpost you to local food banks
- Gas or electricity (not including British Gas)
- Providing quality, second-hand goods wherever possible via direct referrals to suppliers
- Refer you to Citizens Advice Swindon
Our staff will call you within 24 working hours of receiving an online application to discuss the option that best suits your situation.
For our emergency fund you will need to meet our criteria for eligibility.
This means you must:
- have been a resident of Swindon for at least six months, or have a strong connection with the borough if you are homeless
- be in receipt of or likely to be entitled to means-tested benefits or tax credits, and have a maximum annual household income (after deduction of rent/mortgage interest and certain benefits e.g. PIP, DLA, Carers Allowance). The limits are dependent on size of your household, for example:
- single person (living independently): £8,800 p.a
- a couple: £12,000 p.a
- a single parent with one child: £13,200 p.a
- a single parent with two or more children: £17,600 p.a
- a couple with one child: £16,500 p.a
- a couple with two or more children: £19,800 p.a
- not have any savings, access to other monies or affordable source of funding, or other means of accessing support
Please note: We do not give cash or make direct payments.
How to apply
To apply for emergency assistance, please complete the online form and a member of our team will call you within 24 hours.
If you have been affected by COVID-19 you will need to upload the following document:
- Food - proof of identification, proof of furlough
For SEAF non covid-19 related, you will need your National Insurance number. You also need to upload the following documents, depending on the nature of your application:
- Food - proof of identification, last two months’ bank statements and proof of loss of earnings
- Heating - tenancy agreement or Council Tax bill, last two months’ bank statements and proof of loss of earnings
- Food and heating - proof of identification, tenancy agreement or Council Tax bill, last two months’ bank statements and proof of loss of earnings
You can also contact a registered partner organisation for any type of application. They can help you to complete it or apply on your behalf. You must contact a registered partner organisation to apply for white goods or household furniture.
These registered partner organisations include:
- charities
- Citizens Advice
- health services
- housing associations
- council housing officers
- prison services
If you are not sure who can help you, contact Swindon Borough Council emergency fund on 01793 445500 or contact Citizens Advice.