About the Urgent Support Fund
SEEAWA has been awarded funding from the Smallwood Trust for a number of services under the Urgent Support Fund. As well as supporting SEEAWA’s infrastructure and media channels, the fund also enables us to continue our services providing advice on housing, welfare advice, and signposting to employment opportunities.
Urgent support vouchers
We now also have the opportunity to provide £100 vouchers to East and South East Asian (ESEA) women in urgent need. In particular, we aim to support those who are in abusive relationships or facing No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) situations. The £100 is a lifeline intended to address immediate financial hardship for basic needs such as food and groceries and support women on their journey towards safety and independence.
During this project, we will support women who may not only have a NRPF status but may also have been victims of gender violence. Through the Urgent Support Fund, we will be able to help them with their basic needs through the provision of vouchers of £100 per applicant for their local supermarkets and shops, to buy clothing, food and welfare packs.
The money provides a critical support mechanism that empowers women to take the necessary steps towards safety and recovery from abusive relationships and navigates the challenges of NRPF situations.
The funds provide:
Immediate Financial Relief: The £100 can alleviate some of the immediate financial pressures that come with being in an abusive relationship or having NRPF status. It can be used for essentials like food, shopping, transportation, or hygiene products, which are critical during such challenging times.
Empowerment and Independence: Having access to even a small amount of money can provide ESEA women with a sense of agency and control over their situation. It enables them to make personal choices that support their well-being, whether that means buying groceries, covering transportation to a safe space, or providing essentials like nappies and food for their children.
Encouragement to Seek Help: This financial assistance also encourages women to reach out for additional support services, whether it is counseling, legal assistance, or housing services. It enables them to start the first steps of their journey towards greater support and recovery.
Connection to Communities : Recipients of the funds are also provided with information about local services, support networks and self help groups, and resources, ensuring they can broaden their network and integration in the community.
Our eligibility criteria
In order to receive these funds, they will need to meet the following criteria:
- 18 y/o above
- Right to reside in UK including NRPF
- Family income below minimum income standard threshold of £16000
- No savings over £2k
- Sole working
- Employed or unemployed
- No students or living in care home
- Priority: people with NRPF, receiving benefits or UC, fled a violent situation immediately/within last 6 months
Eligibility form
We have produced a form for women to provide us their information if they would like to apply for the urgent support fund. Whilst we recognise that they may be experiencing hardship, we are also aware that they may need more immediate help, so on the form, we have also included important details on how to contact police if they can not speak using their phones.
In the forms we ask for the applicant’s personal details, if they are caregivers, have an NRPF or insecure immigration status, and if they are experiencing abuse. This enables us to prioritise those in most desperate need. Once the form is completed, we are able to contact them to discuss their situation and verify their status and issues. We then provide them with the vouchers.
You can access the form below or through this link.
