If you have run out of money and can not afford essential items (such as food or fuel), or you experience a crisis (for example, a sudden move of home, flood or fire), there is emergency support available.
Do remember that one-off emergency support is not a long-term solution, and many services have a limit to how many times this type of support can be accessed. It is important that you also get debt and budgeting support to resolve the underlying issues to ensure that the same crisis does not happen again.
Merton Community Hub
If you need immediate support with paying for bills or shopping, Merton Community Hub can provide a free foodbank voucher and/or an emergency food parcel.
Call: 0208 066 4086 during office hours or email help@mertoncommunityhub.uk
Foodbanks and Community Fridges
Merton has a network of foodbanks and community fridges that can help if you need emergency food. A full list with opening times can be found on the Merton Council website.
Foodbanks welcome and support, without judgement, everyone who is referred to them as being in need of emergency food. Volunteers will make sure you have sufficient food for a few days, taking into account dietary requirements and the size of your family.
A Community Fridge saves perfectly good food which is about to be wasted by supermarkets and distributes it to the community. Anyone can use a community fridge and its main aim is to reduce waste and emissions related to food waste. However, they also play a vital role in supplementing food needs when people are struggling financially. Find out more about Community Fridges on the Sustainable Merton website.
Some foodbanks require vouchers to access them, and Carers Support Merton can issue these. If your chosen foodbank requires a voucher please call the office on 0208 646 7515 between 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday. These can be sent electronically by text or email, or collected from our office during our opening hours.
Fuel Vouchers
If you can not afford to top up your prepayment meter, you may be eligible for a Fuel Voucher to help you over the crisis. Find more about prepayment meters.
Carers Support Merton can refer eligible Carers for fuel vouchers. Please call the office on 0208 646 7515 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email info@csmerton.org with your name, address and a contact number.
Other support
There is a list of other sources of emergency food and fuel support in the borough on the Merton Council website
You can find out more about help with gas and electricity bills on our webpages about help with bills.
