Renters in Islington have only days to apply for £250 hardship payment

Cllr Diarmaid Ward. Photograph: Islington Council

Renters in Islington have just a few days left to apply for a £250 hardship fund payment.

The council launched the £1m initiative in January to help struggling families.

It is available to renters who work but do not get housing benefit or Universal Credit.

They are eligible if their combined household income is less than £50,000 and they have savings of £5,000 or less.

Only one grant is available per household.

The council extended its application deadline from March until 31 May.

Applicants need to provide proof of rent, savings and earnings, such as a P60 or recent payslip.

They can get help with their application by contacting Here to Help on 0207 527 8222 or emailing heretohelp@islington.gov.uk.

They can also visit the council’s 222 Upper Street office if they need help scanning documents or email frontoffice.housing@islington.gov.uk.

The council will let people know its decision by email or post, and money will be paid into successful applicants’ bank accounts.

The Town Hall’s deputy leader Cllr Diarmaid Ward said the fund is designed “to support the working families who are teetering on the brink”.

He added: “I’m talking about those who are doing their best, with a household income that only just lifts them out of most benefit entitlement and other financial support, but very soon simply won’t be enough to make ends meet.

“We will not stand by and allow this crisis to squeeze even more people into homelessness.”

The authority raised council tax by 4.99 per cent this year – the maximum allowed without it requiring a referendum.

However, families most in need get a 95 per cent discount, which the council said would help 27,000 people.