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.

What support is available?

We can help you with free money management/debt advice

We can help you with essential furniture needs (there is a cost to this)

Who can get help?

You may be eligible for help from the Local Welfare Assistance scheme if you:

• live in Mid Devon
• are on a low income and in receipt of a means-tested benefit:
  Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, ESA/JSA or Tax Credits (you may need to provide proof of this)
  Clients who receive PIP/DLA must also be in receipt of a means-tested benefit
• 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

Money Management/Debt advice

This is a free, impartial and confidential service tailored to suit your needs. Referrals go to our partner organisations CHAT or Navigate CIO. They can offer you help and advice in budgeting and discuss various options for debt management.

Essential Furniture Needs

In addition the above eligibility criteria, you will need to be in receipt of Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, ESA/JSA or Tax Credits. Referrals go to Turntable, a second hand furniture warehouse in Exeter

You can request up to five items of furniture, subject to availability, for £65 plus a £10 delivery charge. Large electrical appliances (no cooker availability) are priced separately according to age and quality, and you may buy only one appliance per six months

The total amount payable must be paid (cash preferred) on selection at the warehouse

Please note: Turntable do not cover all of Mid Devon, please see map

Copplestone, Lapford, Chulmleigh areas can try Refurnish in Crediton Tel: 01363 774577

Bampton, Hemyock, Culmstock areas can try British Heart Foundation in Taunton: Tel: 01823 327772

You may be able to find the items you want on your local Facebook Marketplace or free on Freecycle https://uk.freecycle.org/

If you wish to donate quality used furniture items

Please contact: Refurnish Crediton Tel: 01363 774577

                            British Heart Foundation Taunton Tel: 01823 327772

                            Turntable Exeter: Tel: 01392 202032

How to apply 

Please call our Customer Services team on 01884 255255 and request Local Welfare Assistance for money/debt advice and/or essential furniture needs

For additional support 

Please see Residents’ Financial Support