What needs which are covered by ELF
Needs which are covered by the Essential Living Fund
- furniture - such as a bed, settee, armchair, wardrobe, table
 - furnishings - such as carpets, curtains, bedding, curtain poles
 - household equipment - such as a cooker, fridge, washing machine
 - clothing and footwear including school uniform
 - travel costs - visiting a partner, parent or child placed in a hospital or rehabilitation centre outside the borough, assisted by the Dove Project in being placed in a refuge outside the borough
 - general living expenses - these are day to day living expenses such as groceries, nappies, toiletries, cleaning/hygiene products, money for fuel costs
 
Needs which are not covered by the Essential Living Fund
- maternity expenses as covered by the Sure Start Maternity Grant which is designed to pay for the immediate needs of a new baby
 - funeral expenses as covered by the Funeral Payment regulated element of the Social Fund Scheme
 - needs and costs which the Local Authority has a statutory duty to meet, for example the Disabled Facilities Grant
 - repairs and improvements (both the cost of materials and labour) to the dwelling occupied as the home, including any garage, garden and outbuilding
 - a need which occurs outside the UK
 - an educational or training need for tools or equipment to be used at school
 - travelling expenses (visiting a partner, parent or child placed in a hospital or rehabilitation centre outside the area are covered)
 - expenses in connection with court (legal proceedings) such as legal fees, court fees, fines, costs, damages, subsistence or travelling expenses
 - removal or storage charges
 - domestic assistance and respite care
 - a medical, surgical, optical, aural or dental item or service
 - work related expenses
 - debts to government departments
 - investments
 - costs of purchasing, renting or installing a telephone and of any call charges
 - Council Tax and rent