We have collected together a range of services and schemes that will help you get the support you need during this difficult time.
If you need urgent support
We have a dedicated helpline for residents who need urgent help as a result of COVID-19. Call: 020 8604 7787 – open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.
If you are having trouble getting through, please complete our Coronavirus support form.
Depending on your needs, we will arrange a call after you've submitted the form to talk through your most urgent needs – such as food, medicine or other requirements.
NHS Responders
NHS Volunteer Responders can help with food, prescriptions, essential items and can also Check in and Chat (short-term telephone support).
Telephone: 0808 196 3646.
NHS prescription collection or delivery
You can arrange this by:
- asking someone who can pick up your prescription from the local pharmacy
- contacting your pharmacy to ask them to help you find a volunteer (who will have been ID checked) or deliver it to you. Find your local pharmacy
- asking your hospital care team about collecting or delivering your hospital specialist medication
Household Support Fund (HSF)
The HSF grant can help to buy food, gas, electricity and other essentials. Find out more about the HSF grant.
Children and young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND)
If you are self-isolating or diagnosed with coronavirus and you have concerns about care for your child or young person with SEND while you're unwell, contact the Children With Disabilities duty teams. The phone lines are answered between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
- for children and young people aged 0 to 18: call 020 8726 6100 extension 61974, or email CWDduty@croydon.gov.uk
- for young people and adults aged 18 to 25: phone 020 8604 7577, or email TransitionDutyInbox@croydon.gov.uk
Our Local Offer website has a list of other organisations which may be able to support children and young people with SEND.
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)
Discretionary Housing Payments may be available to top up housing-related benefit for a limited time to cover housing costs such as rent.
You may be able to claim a discretionary reduction in council tax. Check if you qualify for DHP.
Help with food and grocery deliveries
Find out how you can access food and essential supplies.
We have also put together some ideas and sources of help for getting food and essentials delivered. Download ideas for getting food and essentials (PDF, 67KB).
Food banks
Details of local food banks who may be able to help you with food (Excel, 48 KB).
Food Stops
Food Stop shops offer local people the opportunity to reduce their food shopping bills. Eligible residents who sign up as Food Stop members can receive £15-£20 worth of groceries for £3.50 per week.
| Name and address | Wards covered | Contact details | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Family Centre Fieldway, New Addington, Croydon, CR0 9BS |
New Addington North and South | Tel: 01689 844277 Mob: 07498 058 733 familycentre.fieldway@virgin.net. |
Tuesdays – 9.30am to 12.30pm Thursdays – 1.30pm to 5pm (Food Stop drop home delivery service for those who are self-isolating or are symptomatic) |
| St Francis Church (Monks Hill) 146 Tedder Road, South Croydon, CR2 8AH |
Selsdon and Forestdale and Selson and Addington Village | Tel: 020 8657 7864 foodstop.stfrancis@gmail.com. |
Fridays, 9.30am to 1.30pm |
| Old Lodge Lane Baptist Church (Purley) Old Lodge Lane Baptist Church, Reedham Park Avenue, Purley, CR8 4BQ |
South of the borough | Tel: 020 8668 6260 foodstop@ollbc.org.uk. |
Fridays, 9am to midday |
Food vouchers
You may be eligible for food bank vouchers. For more information contact the Discretionary Support Team:
- email dhp2@croydon.gov.uk
- call 020 8604 7226 from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday
Milk formula deliveries
If you cannot visit shops, these companies sell formula milk for babies online. There may be a charge for delivery:
Helping the homeless
The council’s Gateway service helps residents avoid homelessness and boost their financial independence, with support ranging from one-to-one debt advice and maximising their benefits to skills training.
If you are a resident needing support from Gateway staff, or you are a community organisation wanting to refer a member of the public for help, email gcc@croydon.gov.uk – please include a mobile number so an adviser can call you back.
Help applying for a blue badge, taxi card or Freedom Pass
We have a 12 week processing time for new blue badges applications – please avoid enquriig about these before the 12 week deadline.
If you need a freedom pass or taxi card paper application, please email the Travel Service and we will post one to you.
For help with blue badges, taxi cards and freedom passes, contact Travel Service:
- email travel.service@croydon.gov.uk – email is the most effective method of contact at this time
- call 020 8726 7100, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Energy advice
Helping residents heat their homes and reduce their fuel bills.
Croydon Healthy Homes is Croydon Council’s free energy advice service aimed at Croydon residents on low incomes, and those more vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home (especially families with young children, older residents and residents with pre-existing medical conditions).
Jobs and training
If you recently lost your job or you are looking to upskill or change career, find out about job and training opportunities across the borough.