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Liverpool Citizens Support Scheme

The Liverpool Citizens Support Scheme exists to help vulnerable people in short term crisis to meet the needs for food and essential items or to maintain your independence in the community. 

Funding for the scheme is limited and we consider the total number of people applying and what funds are available when making a decision.

There is normally a limit of two awards within  a 12 month period, beginning from the date the first award is made. If you complete a single application and, as a result, receive both a Home Needs and Urgent Needs Award, this will only count as one award.

From Monday 24th April, tenants of Registered Social Landlords are no longer eligible for furniture packages and single items (including domestic appliances), unless the tenant is a care leaver.

Am I eligible for support?

You must be over 16, live in Liverpool or be moving to the area. You should be on a low income and in receipt of any of the following benefits:

  • Income Support.
  • Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA).
  • Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
  • Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit only).
  • Universal Credit.

AND you are either leaving care or require support to stay in the community or you don’t have enough money to meet your (or you family’s) immediate needs after an emergency or crisis.

What type of help is available?

Urgent Need Award

This covers food, essential items for children, essential clothing, fuel costs or help where you have suffered an emergency or crisis, for example, a fire or flood.

Home Needs Award

This covers furniture, new white goods, domestic appliances and essentials such as bedding and crockery to help maintain or establish a home. For example, you may be leaving care or prison, suffered a disaster (such as a fire or flood) or have had to move due to violence, fear of violence or other reasons.

We will try to provide all new items where possible, depending on the level of the award.

Home Needs Awards also support people who have moved as a consequence of benefit reductions associated with welfare reform (except where Discretionary Housing Payments are available to meet the need) or are otherwise at risk of losing their home as a result of welfare reform.

How do I apply?

You can apply Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm by calling 0800 456 1523 or 0151 233 3053. 0800 numbers are free of charge from landlines and mobiles.

The advisor will ask you to confirm your identity and address. If we need further information from you we will get in touch using the details you supply with your application.

How long will it take?

Whenever possible, decisions on Urgent Need Awards will be made within two working days and within 10 days for a Home Needs Award. Sometimes we will need to ask for more information and this may delay a decision.

Who to contact

Contact Name
Benefits Service
Telephone
E-mail
LCSS@liverpool.gov.uk
Website
liverpool.gov.uk

Local Offer

Local Offer Age Bands
Young Adults (16 to 25)
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