Single Support Grant
Every five to six years, the calendar makes it so we have 53 Mondays instead of the usual 52. This coming financial year, 2024 / 2025, is one of those special years.
If you get Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions will only pay for 52 weeks of your rent in a year. In a 53 week financial year, this means there will be one week of rent that will not be covered by Universal Credit.
Find out what we're doing to help and what to do if you're affected and already struggling with the cost of living.
What is the Single Support Grant?
The Single Support Grant (SSG) is a payment to help you and your family set up a home as part of a planned resettlement into permanent accommodation. This could be if you have been homeless or are being released from prison or another institution within four weeks.
When can I apply for a Single Support Grant?
You can apply if you have already moved in, but there is a one month time limit.
An SSG does not have to be repaid but can only be awarded when you can’t fund your resettlement yourself or where there is no other funding.
An SSG award must be used within 13 weeks of a successful decision.
Who can apply for Single Support Grants?
You can apply for a SSG grant if you can show you are aged 16 or over and are getting or are about to get a qualifying benefit, such as:
- income-based jobseeker's allowance
- employment support allowance
- income support
- universal credit
- guaranteed pension credit
You can also apply if you are about to be given accommodation in the borough as part of a planned programme of resettlement. This includes people who are placed into accommodation within another local authority by Lewisham’s Housing Options Team
The award is £250 but if you (or your partner) has capital, such as savings, of more than £1000, then no award will be made.
You can’t apply for another grant if you have already got one in the last twelve months.
You can’t get a grant if another service is providing for your need. Go directly to that service.
Who can't apply for support from this scheme?
Groups of people excluded include:
- people in hospital or care homes, unless they are due to be discharged in the next four weeks
- prisoners either in prison or are on home leave
- members of religious orders that have all their accommodation and living costs met
- students in full-time education (unless they are receiving qualifying benefits)
- most people who are subject to immigration control
- people who are moving into furnished accommodation
Some expenses are always excluded from the support grant scheme. These include:
- any expenses outside the UK
- other travel/removal expenses
Receiving your decision
Decisions are made in nine working days.
If you disagree with our decision
There is no right of appeal against our decision but we will reconsider if more information is provided. Send an email within 30 days of the decision with any further information in support of your application to singlesupportgrant@lewisham.gov.uk.
How will my grant be paid?
If your application is successful, you will get a pre-paid card equal to the value of the award. This can be used at specific high-street stores to purchase the items you need (you will get written instructions about how to use your card).
The card is sent to the address on your application form.
When you get the card, you need to make two phone calls - one call which will load the amount of the award onto the card, and the second call which will activate the card ready for use.
Note: Before completing an application you must have:
- proof of your current address
- benefit claim
- offer of resettlement
We cannot process applications without this evidence.
If you are completing this form on behalf of someone else, by clicking ‘Make an application’ you are confirming that the person has given you permission to use their information in this way.