Details of Grenfell Tower Residents’ Discretionary Fund

19 Jun 2017 03:17 PM

Further details of how the £5 million emergency Grenfell Tower Residents’ Discretionary Fund will be distributed, has been confirmed by the Prime Minister.

• Every household whose home has been destroyed as a result of the fire will receive a guaranteed £5,500 minimum down payment from the fund. This will be made up of a £500 cash payment and £5,000 delivered through the Department of Work and Pensions into bank accounts or similar in a single payment
• The £500 cash payment has already begun to be made available to those affected and further payments are available immediately from the Council at the Westway Centre or from Monday through the Post Office in Portobello Road, as and when families need it
• The £5,000 payment will be available from Monday and support workers will assist households in accessing it - including those who do not have bank accounts
• The discretionary fund is also being made available to meet funeral costs, and to top up payments for those households with complex or additional needs. The fund will be kept under review and will increase if necessary

Access to the fund is one element of the support being made available, and comes on top of:

• Support for the council through the Bellwin scheme to meet the immediate and uninsurable costs of responding to the disaster
• A guarantee of funding for temporary accommodation for those whose homes have been destroyed as a result of the fire while permanent homes are found
• Funding for legal representation for residents to ensure their voices are heard during the inquiry
• An additional £1.5 million to pay for mental health support to the Emergency Services through Mind’s Blue Light Programme

Prime Minister Theresa May said:

As we continue to respond to the needs of the community, our focus is on ensuring that all of those affected by this unimaginable tragedy get the right support as quickly as possible.

My government will continue to do absolutely everything possible to help all of those affected through the difficult days, weeks, months and years ahead.

Information about the support available for people affected by the Grenfell Tower fire can be found here.