Local Support Payments

Who is eligible

If you need help because of an immediate emergency event or crisis event you may be able to get a Local Support Payment (LSP). You may also qualify if you need help to remain or settle in the community. This is a discretionary non statutory scheme and there is no automatic entitlement to be assisted by this scheme. Each case is considered on an individual case basis. The awards are in the form of furniture, white goods or store vouchers and need to be used immediately to resolve the crisis/emergency event.

You can only claim for a Local Support Payment if you:

• are claiming a qualifying benefit*, or about to claim one because you are leaving care or an institution such as hospital or prison
• live in Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea or Westminster, or have been housed elsewhere by one of these boroughs, by Temporary Accommodation
• do not have more than £1000 in savings if you are an RBKC and LBHF resident and have had an emergency or crisis event. As a rule, we can only consider two awards/crisis events in any 12 months
• do not have more than £3000 in savings if you are a Westminster City Council resident and have had an emergency or crisis event. As a rule, we can only consider two awards/crisis events in any 12 months

Local Support Payment awards (vouchers) will be cancelled if they are not used immediately and must only be used to purchase the items awarded by the Local Support Payment team.

Qualifying benefits*

• Income Support
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Incapacity Benefit
• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• maximum Universal Credit, where the latest award has not been reduced by earnings or other income

If you do not qualify for a Local Support Payment, we have compiled a list of other help and advice services.

How to apply

If you think that you may be entitled to a payment, you can apply online for a Local Support Payment for:

Kensington and Chelsea

Start

Hammersmith & Fulham

Start

Westminster

Start

The Local Support Payment phone line is 0207 745 6464, open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Outside of office hours, you can apply online using the forms provided.

Having difficulties online?

If you are having difficulties claiming online, please telephone the LSP phone line, where an officer can complete the application for you over the telephone.