WRHA Customer Support Fund

This fund offers financial help relating to work and training.

This can include the cost of travelling to interviews or training, or clothes you may need for job interviews. It can also be used to improve your computing or personal money management skills.

This fund offers emergency financial assistance when you're unable to access any other funding at all within the time needed.

It can be used to help if you're struggling to afford food and other basic household essentials, or to pay utility bills such as energy, gas or water.

This is for new starter tenancies (please speak to your housing officer if you're unsure if you're on a starter tenancy).

This support is to assist with the costs of moving into your new home where other grant support is not available to you in the time needed.

It can be used to help you afford to buy white goods such as fridges, cookers or washing machines or any other necessities that finances may not stretch to after moving into your new home.

Sorry, this fund is not available to shared owners.

All WRHA customers:

• residents
• shared owners (except for the New Tenancy Support Fund)

1. If you'd like to apply for one of the funds, please complete an initial application either online or by phone.

Online:

• Please complete our online application form below.

By phone:

• Or you can call the Customer Care Team on 0300 1234 009 and they will take initial details from you.

Your initial application will be reviewed by a member of our housing team.

2. Full assessment

Making an initial online application or phone application with the Customer Care Team does not guarantee you will receive any funds.

• All applications will be subject to a full assessment before a decision is made.
• This will be done with you via a phone interview.
• We may ask for supporting documents regarding your financial situation.

1. Your initial application will be reviewed by a member of our housing team.
2. We'll carry out a further assessment with you via a phone interview.
3. We may ask for supporting documents regarding your financial situation

If your application is approved:

We'll issue you with a voucher - either for a shop/retailer or energy supplier.

The easiest way to get the voucher to you is by email or text. If you don't have email or a mobile phone, we'll print the voucher and send it to you.

How long does it take?

Emergency support funds:

For emergency funds for food or energy your housing officer will normally aim to contact you to carry out an assessment within two working days. If your application is approved, the vouchers will be issued to you immediately.

Any other applications:

These will normally be processed within 5-10 working days. They are subject to supporting documents being received on request and funds being available. If your application is successful the vouchers should be issued the same day.

No.

The Customer Support Fund payment does not include any reduction in rent or service charges. It is ‘a one off’ financial assistance payment.

If you need help completing the form, or would like to talk to us about the fund, please get in touch:

• Tel: 0300 1234 009
• Email: enquiries@midlandsrural.org.uk