The K+C Cash First scheme is helping people struggling with the cost of living (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
(Picture: PA Archive)A new scheme run by a partnership of charities and advice agencies in Kensington and Chelsea is giving cash payments to local residents struggling with the cost of living crisis.
The K+C Cash First scheme helps to gives community members the breathing space to pay their immediate bills and access more sustainable support.
For example, if a resident loses their job and has no savings, the five week wait for Universal Credit leaves them with little choice but to take payday loans or to go without food themselves so that their families can eat.
Alongside an advice and guidance service helps residents accessing emergency cash to also receive tailored information and support on a range of issues from housing and employment to mental health.
“For households facing financial crisis, often unable to afford to buy food or switch on their heating, providing a small cash grant provides an immediate lifeline”, said Victoria Steward Todd, Director of the K+C Foundation, the charity coordinating the scheme.
“It gives residents the breathing space to access much-needed financial advice and holistic support offered by our trusted frontline advice charities, which in turn helps them to avoid getting deeper into unmanageable debt.”
The K+C Cash First scheme was only launched by the Foundation in February 2022 and has already helped 85 residents with one-off cash grants totalling almost £10,000.
It supports residents accessing advice and support with one of four local partners, Age UK K&C, Citizens Advice K&C, Nucleus Legal Advice Centre and Worlds End Neighbourhood Advice Centre.
Advice caseworkers assess eligibility and provide immediate cash support using an award-winning new cash payment solution called Cash Perks. The system securely sends payments via SMS text messages allowing the recipient to collect their allocated funds 24/7 at ATMs – all without the need for a bank card.
Among beneficiaries already is Keisha, a single parent suffering from mental health issues and her son, aged 3, who has special education needs. As a cleaner, she struggles to afford the cost of childcare.
This, combined with the increase in her current living costs caused by the energy crisis, has led to her going without food so that she could pay her utility bills and feed her son.
When Keisha was referred to the K+C Cash First scheme, she was in considerable distress. Through the scheme, she has now been able to pay her utility bill for the next 2 months and received an emergency payment of £80 to help with the food bills. Keisha will continue to receive support from local advice services.
More information is available here.
