UK Bill Help

People from the Bath and North East Somerset district that are facing a crisis and that can’t pay their bills may get help from the welfare support scheme. There are as many as 10 types of expenses that can be paid using a grant from the council. The aim of welfare is to help with emergency living expenses and to also give the family time to get back on track financially.

Financial help for bills from welfare support scheme in Bath and North East Somerset

Bath and North East Somerset housing payments can be made. If the need is for rental arrears, then the council will help with applications to Discretionary Housing Payments rather than providing a welfare grant. Much more likely is someone that is homeless, or moving, to be given a welfare grant for paying rent in advance, and this cash will be given to the landlord directly. The scheme will also help with council tax for some vulnerable families.

The Welfare Support Scheme can help with heat or fuel bills too. This is done by linking the family to Citizens Advice Centres, which partners with the council on offering top-ups of meters. A pre-paid fuel card will be used to help the vulnerable family keep their electricity on. The Bath council has an arrangement with CAB to offer this form of support to residents of the district.

There are some instances in which welfare may not provide direct financial help, but instead the authorities will enter into a payment plan for any bills that are due. This can be an option for residents that owe council tax or the welfare team in Bath and Somerset will work with energy providers on payment plans.

Payment plans can be made for any of the fuel supplies in the UK. The aim is to help a family keep their light and heat on. It is a short term solution while the customers gets long term financial help or gain financial stability. Read more on payment plans for energy bills.

Free items from Bath and North East Somerset welfare

Food, clothing, and appliances may be provided using a voucher from welfare. The authorities in Bath and North East Somerset provide these basis needs, with priority given to households that have a child under the year of 5.

The vouchers are able to be used at different food banks and recycling centres for furniture, a parcel of groceries, and more. When it comes to household goods, this is done in partnership with the Sofa Project. The Bath and North East Somerset family may be given free white goods, tables, bedding, chairs, sofas, appliances, heating equipment and more.

The Welfare Support Team can link the applicant to centres in Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Bath, and other cities for these basic needs. This is where the food bank as well as the Sofa Project are located. Vouchers can even be used at local soup kitchens for a hot lunch or meal.

Grants can be used to pay for other essential living needs as well. These are for families with an emergency. The local welfare scheme may pay for:
-Transportation including bus tickets for travel. This is for a job only and is part of the Wheels for Work Scheme.
-Other job interview costs, such as clothing or shoes.
-Help for travel for funeral of a loved one.
-The local authorities may, at their discretion, provide grants for other key expenses too at their discretion. That is only an example.

Students and kids in Bath and North East Somerset can get help for school too. The council will allow welfare grants to pay for school supplies, uniforms, or educational supplies. This is for the poor as well as families on benefits. There are also other free school supplies from charities.

Families needs to be on a low income and facing a short term emergency. The authorities will never guarantee that a grant will be provided, and this is a discretionary programme. The application process will need to show that the applicant is out of all other financial resources and can’t get help from other charities or family. To apply for the Bath and North East Somerset Welfare Support Scheme, the number to ring is 01225 477 277. The office is open until 4pm.