Local Welfare Assistance

Local Welfare Assistance is funded by Mid Devon District Council to help residents who are facing exceptional financial difficulty. We are one of the few Local Authorities in Devon to offer a Local Welfare Assistance Scheme.

The service is delivered by Wiser£Money; an independent money advice service. Wiser£Money is a partnership between Navigate CIO and Encompass Southwest that delivers free, confidential and impartial advice and support services across Devon and Somerset.

How can we help?

We may be able to help you access support from the Local Welfare Assistance scheme if your needs meet the criteria for help. If you are eligible, you will be referred to the Wiser£Money team and other local services or agencies that can help with your crisis or emergency situation. The services are free, impartial, confidential and tailored to meet individual need.

Who can get help?

You may be eligible for help from the Local Welfare Assistance scheme if you live in Mid Devon and you:

• are on a low income
• are referred by Mid Devon District Council
• don’t have savings of more than £500
• don’t have access to any other forms of assistance

An assessment will be made on the urgency and need of the situation; we also consider if there might be any other assistance that you may be eligible

If you're eligible what support is available?

The scheme provides a variety of services to support local residents who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing crisis. The key elements of the scheme are:

• Money and debt advice
• Income maximisation, budgeting and financial capability
• Food vouchers*
• Essential furniture and electrical items (there may be a cost for furniture or electrical items)*
• Signposting and referral

*Please note, WE DO NOT MAKE CASH PAYMENTS. Food, essential furniture and electrical items are provided through vouchers to local organisations.

How to apply 

You can:

• email your request to benefits@middevon.gov.uk and a member of our Benefits Team will contact you;
• over the phone, see Contact us or,
• in person, see Contact details and opening hours.  Please note the Local Welfare office is available for contact on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only from 9.30am to 12.30pm, messages can be left outside of these hours.

After you've applied

We'll advise you about what happens next once you've completed your application.

The number of times you can apply

There's a limit to the amount of times you can apply for help from the Local Welfare Assistance Fund depending on your circumstances. Generally, the limit is one application per 12-month period for emergency or crisis assistance and one application per 24-month period for household items.