Crisis loans

Crisis Loans are emergency payments for unforseen or unavoidable circumstances, Crisis Loans can be either applied for over the phone on the latest CRISIS LOAN NUMBER or you can us an application form. The maximum crisis loan ammount available to any one household is £1500, and this limit it non negotiable. If you have hit your limit you can no longer be awarded any further loans until you have paid back some of the debt owed. In these circumstances you can apply for a Community Care Grant

To apply for a Crisis Loan online get the CRISIS LOAN ONLINE APPLICATION

Crisis loans over the Telephone:

In some circumstances Crisis Loan applications can be taken over the telephone in an interview that will take around half an hour, at the end of this time your application will be assessed by the person that you were speaking to whilst you are on hold and if awarded – the amount  that can be paid to you will be sent to your local Jobcentre Plus office for collection as a Giro that you can take to exchange for cash at you nominated Post Office that day.

The crisis loan application process is very simple, initially you will need to call the Social fund telephone number for your area and go through a set of security questions ( you will need your National Insurance number) and once you have done this you will need to explain the circumstances of your crisis.

Depending on the Nature of your crisis you may be offered a face to face interview or continue the application over the phone.

Generally you will be able to apply over the phone for any immediate disaster, or unforeseen loss of income- however may need to provide further information if your application relies on an application for money to secure a property ( Rent in advance) and you may be asked for a valid tenancy agreement

Crisis loans provide help for people who need money quickly because of expenses in an emergency or disaster. They can also help with rent in advance in certain circumstances. Crisis loans have to be paid back to the Social Fund, but they are interest-free. This means you will not have to pay back more than the amount of the loan. Crisis loans are discretionary which means that you will not get one just because you are eligible to apply. The benefit office will decide whether to pay you anything based on how much money is in the district Social Fund budget, and how urgently you need help.

Who can apply for a crisis loan

Anybody over the age of  16 can apply for a Crisis Loan, if they find themselves in a situation where they do not have enough income to provide for their immediate needs in the short term, this can be for single people or for families. A Crisis Loan is assessed based on the situation that you are in, and not for a future event, so  there is no point applying for an upcoming phone bill. To qualify for a Crisis Loan, you do not need to be on Benefits, however you do have to be in a situation where you are unable to obtain resources from another source, Bank loans or wages for example. There are some people that are excluded from being awarded Crisis Loans, this includes people under 16 those in permanent residential care, and those in Prison.

Who cannot get a crisis loan

People in the following categorise cannot be awarded Crisis Loans:-

• Those  in a care home or in hospital, unless you are going to be discharged within the next two weeks
• Those that are a prisoner being held in prison or on home leave
• Those that are a member of a religious order which meets all your accommodation and living costs
• Those that  are under 19 and in full-time education (unless you are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance).

Your Immigration status will have an effect on your ability to be awarded a Crisis Loan

If you are unsure if you will qualify or are able to apply, you can speak to your local  Citizens Advice Bureau. to get advice be e-mail you can contact your nearest CAB.

What expenses can a crisis loan be made for

A crisis loan can be paid for any specific need unless it is an excluded expense. However, the need must have arisen because of an emergency or disaster, or because you have to pay rent in advance in certain circumstances. An emergency or a disaster could be a fire or flood, or some other event which means you need something very quickly which you cannot afford. The crisis loan must be the only way that you can avoid serious damage or risk to the health or safety of you or a member of your family.

What are Crisis Loans?

A Crisis Loan is a loan form the Government and is interest free, however as any other loan needs to be repaid.

A crisis Loan is design to assist singles people or families on low incomes when they have suffered and unforeseen disaster or emergency.

Who can apply?

As long as you are over 16, and a UK resident, you are able to apply for help from the Crisis loan section.

What can I use a CL for?

Crisis Loans are intended to be used for the following:

▪   Immediate Living expenses

▪   essential items and services

What amount can I loan?

▪   YOU can apply for the amount that you feel will alleviate your immediate need for assistance

▪   As long as you are over 16 you can apply for any amount for any reason and your application will be assessed based on your need

▪

How do I repay a Crisis Loan?.

▪   You can either arrange to repay the loan out of your wages, or it will be arranged that repayments are deducted form your benefits.

Repayment arrangements will be discussed at the application stage.

How can I apply for  a CL?

▪   If you are apply for help with living expenses you can do this over the telephone.

▪   Calls from BT landlines and phone boxes are free, as are calls made form some mobile hones

▪   If you have applied previously you may be asked to attend an interview at your local jobcentre.

▪    If you are 16-17 you will also be asked to attend an interview.

▪   You can apply in writing using the following form . SF401

Official Information

It is possible to read further information relating to Crisis Loans on the  official DWP website direct.gov site