Struggling with the increased cost of living?
Are you finding it difficult to make ends meet? If so the Customer Support Fund (CSF) may be able to help. We set the fund up at the beginning of the pandemic to help customers experiencing financial hardship, and we’ve increased the fund since then to help more people.
The fund is for people who are struggling to live well and have no access to alternative financial support. Referrals are made via staff and are approved by a panel who assess each request against set criteria. Priority groups are:
An example of a recent CSF award was for Janine*, a single mum of two who had to flee her home due to domestic violence. Janine was unable to bring any furniture with her and couldn’t afford the essentials, so the CSF paid for a double bed, bunk bed for the children and microwave. *Name changed for the purpose of this article.
- People entitled to benefits whose claim is either suspended or sanctioned and who have no money or other source of funds for food/fuel and who are unable to use a support bank.
- People who have claimed benefits and are awaiting their first payment to come through and who are unable to obtain a Universal Credit advance.
- People who require assistance with essential furniture and appliances and are unable to afford them and cannot source them from other places.
- People moving to a Raven home who are unable to afford/arrange the move without financial assistance.
If you would like to apply for help, please email moneywise@ravenht.org.uk or call 0300 123 3399.