Local Welfare Assistance
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Local Welfare Assistance is funded by central government 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 Wessex Resolutions CIC and Encompass Southwest that delivers 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 service is 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, you're on a low income, you don't have savings of more than £500 and you don't have access to any other forms of assistance. Assessment is made on the urgency and need of the situation; we also consider whether there is any other assistance you may be eligible for.
Once you know you're eligible, what support is there?
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 and fuel vouchers*
- Essential furniture and electrical items
- Removal costs*
- Signposting and referral
*Please note, WE DO NOT MAKE CASH PAYMENTS
How to apply
You can:
- Apply for Local Welfare Assistance online;
- over the phone, see Contact us or,
- in person, see Contact details and opening hours.
After you've applied
We'll advise you about what happens next once you've completed your application.
Paying back funding
You'll have to pay back any deposits for rent. We'll discuss with you how you can repay the loan. We won't ask you to pay back grants given to you for food or furniture. This may change in the future.
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.