Client Hardship Service (CHS)

Complete our online hardship support request form.

You will be asked to provide:

• Personal and financial information for yourself and anyone else who lives with you - see details below
• Electronic copies of evidence. Paper copies of evidence can be posted to us if you cannot send an electronic copy

What to gather before you start your hardship support request

Get the following information together for yourself and anyone else who lives with you.

• National Insurance number. We cannot process a hardship support request without it. Visit www.gov.uk/lost-national-insurance-number if you have lost it
• Last two months' bank statements for all accounts held within the household -  your bank statement must contain your name and address
• Details of any debts
• Details of any savings or property you have
• Information on any health issues affecting you and/or anyone you live with
• If you are moving due to family breakdown or reconciliation, you need to provide details and the name of a professional, such as a social worker, who could give supporting evidence if required.

Apply for the Client Hardship Service

How to save the online form during the request process

You can save your hardship request form at any point during the request process.

However, you must complete it and send it within five days of starting it. If you do not complete it within five days, it will be deleted from our system.

When you save the form, you will be given a code. Without the code you cannot return to the form. It might be helpful to take a screenshot or photo on your phone.

Return to a saved application

Telephone Hardship Support Requests

If you cannot complete an online hardship support request call 0344 800 8020. We will complete the form with you, but you will still need to send us evidence via email or via post.