✅ What Support Is Available in Croydon

💷 1. Croydon Crisis Support Scheme (Emergency Financial Help)

Croydon Council offers emergency help through its Crisis Support Scheme.

You may receive:

• Emergency cash support
• Food or supermarket vouchers
• Help with essential household items (beds, appliances, baby items)
• Support with fuel or energy costs

💡 How quickly?

• Urgent applications can be assessed within a few days

👉 Apply online through Croydon Council or ask a professional (GP, Family Hub, support worker) to help

🏠 2. Housing Support & Rent Assistance

If you are struggling with rent or housing:

Support may include:

• Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)
• Help with rent arrears
• Support if you are at risk of eviction or homelessness

💡 How quickly?

• Urgent housing issues are prioritised, with support sometimes provided within days

👉 Contact Croydon Housing Services or your housing officer

🥫 3. Food Banks & Community Support

Croydon has a strong network of local support, including:

• Food banks and emergency food parcels
• Community kitchens and food hubs
• Cost‑of‑living support centres

💡 How quickly?

• Support is often available same day or within 24–48 hours

👉 Access via:

• Family Hubs
• GP or health visitor
• Schools or local charities

👶 4. Family Hubs & Children’s Centres (Croydon)

Croydon’s Family Hubs offer:

• Pregnancy and early years support
• Parenting advice
• Help accessing benefits and financial support
• Emotional wellbeing support

👉 Many centres offer drop‑in services and direct referrals

🧾 5. Cost of Living Payments & Support Funds

Croydon Council provides targeted support through:

• Cost‑of‑living hardship funds
• Help with energy bills and utilities
• Local grant schemes

💡 How quickly?

• Payments can be made within days to a few weeks, depending on urgency

👩‍👧 6. Support for Single Parents

Croydon services recognise the additional pressure on single parents.

You may receive:

• Priority referrals
• Support with childcare guidance and options
• Help navigating benefits and financial support

👉 Early contact often leads to faster and more tailored help

🏥 7. Health & Pregnancy Support

Local NHS services include:

• Midwives and maternity teams
• Health visitors
• Healthy Start referrals
• Free prescriptions and maternity care

👉 These services also help connect you to financial and local support options