The Karibu Hardship Fund is available to Karibu Community Homes residents (the ‘applicant’) only. The applicant must be named on the tenancy agreement to apply and must be the person for whom the Hardship Fund grant will be awarded.

The following criteria must be met, and evidenced, in support of an application. You / the applicant must:

• Be named as a resident or occupant on a Karibu tenancy agreement
• Be in genuine emergency caused by incident(s) that is / are beyond your / the applicant's control
• Demonstrate that you / the applicant has acted responsibly and reasonably by taking all necessary steps to prevent falling into the unfortunate circumstance you / the applicant finds themselves in
• Demonstrate that you / the applicant have acted within a reasonable time frame (within 3 to 5 working days) from the time first known about the particular issue / problem / incident
• Demonstrate that you / the applicant have taken all necessary practical steps to remedy / resolve the situation, and that you are only applying for a Hardship Fund grant as a last resort

• Contributing towards essential white goods (such as a replacement fridge, washing machine)
• Everyday expenses for residents whose benefits are in review / have been reduced / suspended
• Help with funeral costs
• Help with essential medical / health costs
• Help with paying bills and reducing debt
• Loss of job / redundancy due to Coronavirus
• New accommodation / change in accommodation
• Emergency living expenses which include food, and fuel

We have a limited number of grants, which may be given as 'cash', in-kind support, or vouchers.

Applications are assessed against our criteria and based on your individual circumstances.

Grants can only be awarded according to your / the applicant's circumstances and as evidenced in our criteria (see: Who can apply for a grant).

Grants are dependent on available funds remaining in the Karibu Hardship Fund.

We aim to make a decision within five working days of receiving a completed application form and supporting documents.

However, if we need more information from you or there is a delay with the application process, this may delay how long it takes to process / approve your application.

Karibu reserves the right to decline or refuse an application based on the information provided.

Once your application is approved, we aim to make payments within a further five working days

Please ensure you have read all the information above and that you are eligible, and that you meet the criteria listed.

In the first instance you will need to contact us by email registering your interest to apply for funding. We will then contact you to discuss your requirements and / or send you our application form and guidance.

If you are unable to email us, you can call us on 0208 607 7777 or 020 8964 2323 and we will be able to complete the form on your behalf.

Grants are awarded up to a maximum of £500 per applicant or household per annum.

You cannot reapply for a second grant within 12 months if you / the applicant has reached this Hardship Fund grant maximum.

Providing you / the applicant hasn’t reached this maximum within a 12 month period, you may apply for a further grant providing the total doesn’t exceed £500 to include any previous payments made within a 12 month period.

You may reapply for a grant should your application be declined and you wish to reapply due to a further change in hardship circumstance(s) or eligibility.