About the Essential Living Fund

The Essential Living Fund (ELF) is extra help for vulnerable people to live independently.

People who can claim ELF

Anyone can make a claim. The fund is intended to help:

• people live in the community after a stay in a care home, hostel or similar
• people leaving prison and youth offender institutions
• young people leaving council care
• people stay at home instead of a care home or similar to get care
• reduce exceptional pressures on people or their families
• people set up home in the community after an unsettled way of life
• people to care for a prisoner or young offender on temporary release
• people who are unable to meet their needs in an emergency or after a disaster

What you can use the fund for

You can use the fund to buy:

• furniture such as a bed, settee, armchair, wardrobe or table
• furnishings such as carpets, curtains or bedding
• 'white goods' such as a cooker, fridge or washing machine
• household equipment such as cooking utensils and small electrical appliances
• fuel connection or re-connection charges
• clothing and footwear
• general living expenses such as groceries, nappies, toiletries, cleaning or hygiene products, money for pay-as-you-go fuel meters

How we make payment

If we agree to give you the funds, you will be paid through:

• food vouchers
• supermarket vouchers
• AllPay cards
• recycled furniture from a reputable charity
• white goods from a reputable dealer

To apply please follow this link https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/essential-living-fund/applying-for-an-essential-living-fund