Finance and Welfare

We understand that unfortunate circumstances can sometimes  impact our finances and welfare. We would like you to know that help and support is available. Please find key information and services on below, which could help you, your family, friends, neighbours, carers (or anyone) living in Croydon and with:

• Welfare and Housing
• Food Banks
• Financial Support

Welfare  & Housing:

• Croydon Council Benefits: advice on all available benefits e.g.. housing, council tax, universal credit:
  • Email / Online Contact: https://www.croydon.gov.uk/contact-us/message-us
  • Website: https://www.croydon.gov.uk/advice/benefits

• Croydon Council: Welfare rights and free advice:
  • Call: 0800 7315920
  • Email: welfare.rights@croydon .gov.uk or  Benefits Contacts
  • Website (coronavirus): https://new.croydon.gov.uk/coronavirus-information-and-service-updates
  • Website (main): https://www.croydon.gov.uk/advice/benefits/welfare-benefits/project
  • Website (DWP): https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits

• Croydon Council - Council Tax Help: advice and information about council tax:
  • Call: 020 8726 7000  
  • Email: Croyhben@croydon.gov.uk
  • Website: https://new.croydon.gov.uk/coronavirus-information-and-service-updates/get-help-your-council-tax-and-benefits

• Croydon Council Gateway Service: free advice, support and help finding a place to stay if you are Homeless or facing housing difficulties:
  • Email: gcc@croydon.gov.uk   (please provide a contact number in your email, so they will call you back).

• Citizen Advice (Croydon): free independent advice and information to support people living in Croydon, e.g.. debt, housing, finances. benefits, family law, immigration
  • Call: 0300 330 9095
  • Email / Online Contact: https://www.citizensadvicecroydon.info/
  • Website (Croydon): https://www.citizensadvicecroydon.org/
  • Website (National): https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

• Gas and Electricity Help: government advice and assistance if you are having difficulties paying your Gas and Electricity:
  • Website (warm home scheme): https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
  • Website (price cap schemes): https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-price-caps/consumers

If you are facing Homelessness, or are currently living on the streets, sofa-surfing, been kicked out or other challenging situations leaving you with no where to stay, please click here for help.

Food Banks:

• Food Bank / Shops: in New Addington, Selsdon and Thornton Heath (£20 worth of food for £3.50)
  • Email: anita.konczack@croydon.gov.uk

• Croydon Food Bank: helping local people in crisis with nutritious food:
  • Call: 020 8686 5664 or 07453 969687
  • Email: croydonfoodbank@mail.com
  • Website: https://croydon.foodbank.org.uk/

• Norwood and Brixton Food Bank: helping local people with food in crisis:
  • Call: 07722 121108
  • Email: info@norwoodbrixton.foodbank.org.uk or  norwoodfoodbank@btinternet.com
  • Website: https://norwoodbrixton.foodbank.org.uk/

Financial Support:

• Croydon Council Benefits: advice on all available benefits e.g.. housing, council tax, universal credit:
  • Email / Online Contact: https://www.croydon.gov.uk/contact-us/message-us
  • Website: https://www.croydon.gov.uk/advice/benefits

• Croydon Council Business Support: advice and information on support for businesses:
  • Website: https://new.croydon.gov.uk/coronavirus-information-and-service-updates/business-support-and-advice

• Universal Credit: financial support / benefits if you are unemployed
  • Croydon Council Universal Credit Advice:)
    • Call: Welfare Benefits Hotline: 0800 731 5920 (Welfare Benefits Hotline)
    • Email / Online Contact: https://www.croydon.gov.uk/contact-us/message-us
    • Website: https://www.croydon.gov.uk/advice/benefits/universal-credit
  • Government advice on how to claim for Universal Credit: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim

• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): if you have a disability / health condition that affects how much you can work:
  • Government advice:  https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance
  • Croydon Council Welfare Benefits: 
    • Web: https://www.croydono.gov.uk/education/special-educational-needs/sen-money/sen-benefits
    • Welfare Benefits Hotline: 0800 731 5920

• Job Seekers Allowance (JSA): government advice on job seekers allowance, how to apply and criteria:
  • Call: 0800 055 6688 or Text: 0800 023 4888
  • Website: https://www.gov.uk/job seekers-allowance/how-to-claim

• Department of Works and Pension (DWP): for welfare, pensions, child maintenance, ill health and disability benefits
  • Web: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions 
  • Benefits: https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits
  • DWP Main Customer Service: 08007317898

• Government Advice and Help: on what to do if as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) :
  • Employed and unable to work, if you or someone you live with is ill, please click here
  • Employed, but cannot work because your employer has no work for you (on furlough). please click here
  • Unemployed  / lost your job, please click here 
  • Self-employed, please click here
  • Already getting benefits, please click here
  • Struggling due to the impact of Coronavirus, please click here

• National Debtline: government approved national debt helpline for people facing financial difficulties:
  • Call:  0808 808 4000
  • Online Tool:  https://tools.nationaldebtline.org/dat-reg
  • Website: https://www.gov.uk/national-debtline  / https://www.nationaldebtline.org/