Following my letter, last month, Islington Council still hasn’t managed to distribute all of its Hardship Fund, so has extended the application deadline again, till the end of June this time. This entirely worthwhile initiative, to help low-income households who need support with paying their rent, still has grants available, but, so far, only 50% of applications have been successful.
Does the council need to expand the eligibility criteria? Make the application process clearer? Would it have been easier and more impactful to simply give an automatic 100% council tax discount to the lowest income households, as the Green Party has been arguing for some years?
In the meantime, though, if you are working, not currently receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, and could use £250, why not have a look at islington.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/cost-of-living-support/hardship-fund, to see if you’re already eligible?
Cllr Ernestas Jegorovas-Armstrong, Green Party, Highbury ward
