Getting the support you need
Our Housing and Welfare Benefits team provides advice and casework on housing and accessing welfare benefits.
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Who do we support?
Due to high demand, we prioritise people who are vulnerable, destitute and have children living in Lewisham. We run a hybrid service, offering both phone and face-to-face advice. We also provide a drop-in service for Greenwich residents at the Migrant Hub.
Specialist advice
Our specialist advisers can help with any of the following issues related to housing:
- Homelessness
- Rent arrears
- Possession proceedings due to mortgage arrears
- Section 21 notice
- Eviction
- Disrepair
- Overcrowding
- Housing register and allocations.
We support people in understanding their entitlement to welfare benefits (“public funds”) and can offer support in the following areas:
- Universal Credit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Disability Living allowance
- Child Benefit
- Income support
- Employment and support allowance
- Housing benefit.
Need advice?
To refer yourself or someone you know to our services, please fill out our Referral Form.
If you have any questions about the form, please contact our main office at 020 8694 0323 and we will be happy to help you complete the form over the phone. We can provide an on-demand interpreter service to complete the referral form.
Fiona’s story
In 2019, Fiona* got the keys to a one bedroom apartment. It took her over a year to get there, while she suffered abuse, homelessness and escalating health problems.
It all started when her health deteriorated and she could no longer work or support herself. Fiona found herself staying on Adam’s sofa who verbally abused her on a daily basis and caused further health complications. We helped Fiona to contact the council about her housing needs and worsening health conditions. She was invited to see a property but was then told she was ineligible for it. Shocked by the news, Fiona felt like she had run out of options and attempted to end her own life. Upon hearing the news, we contacted the council and urged them to give her the accommodation she so desperately needed.
It was four months later, when she opened the door to her flat. We provided her with a grant to buy furniture and finally settle into her own home.
*Name changed
Find out more
Find out more about the people we’ve helped at LRMN, and the services we offer.