Halton Borough financial help from Discretionary Support Scheme

The Discretionary Support Scheme can provide two types of financial assistance to families in an emergency and that are on a low income. Anyone applying for the welfare scheme needs to be local to the Halton Borough and also prove their need, and if eligible, the following may be provided.

• The council will provide vouchers to help people maintain their independence, and this includes support such as housing, free furniture, and while goods.
• Another use of the local scheme is to offer emergency assistance, and this includes everything from a grant to pay electric bills to free food or household items.

More information on each of these forms of support is below. Note that the Discretionary Support Scheme was created to replace the Crisis Loans as well as the Community Care Grants welfare programmes that use to be available in the past.

Criteria to apply for a grant from Halton Borough Discretionary Support Scheme

The applicant needs to be vulnerable, and this means they can’t meet their own short term needs for subsistence. So the family can’t have the money (either in income or savings) to pay for their energy bills or emergency transportation. The applicant also can’t be assisted by other government schemes, (such as rent help from the Discretionary Housing Payments), or they can’t have the funds to pay for the other bills they have. They also need to prove their need for financial support.

The Halton council, which processes applications for the welfare scheme, will always treat each applicant fairly. They will make a decision as to whether to issue a grant timely and equitably. While any type of financial help from the Discretionary Support Scheme is provided at their discretion, effort will be made to assist the most vulnerable.

Types of bills paid by welfare scheme

When eligible, and when the council has funds, the Discretionary Support Scheme will offer the following types of emergency support. There will be a grant issued to the household for their short term needs, including funds for paying for daily living expenses. Note the Halton council will not issue cash, but rather a voucher or the goods themselves. Examples of the assistance are as follows.

The scheme will help feed a family on a low income. A supplier, such as a church or foodbank, will provide the household with a free parcel of food. At the same time, any essential toiletries or other household items (such as cleaning supplies) will be provided.

Energy costs, such as heating or electric bills, will also be paid by the Halton Borough Discretionary Support Scheme. The amount of aid provided is limited, and may be as much as 50£. The aim is to keep the lights on while the family seeks other forms of help for their energy bills, such as a payment plan.

As noted, the scheme will also help people maintain their independence, and this includes housing or accommodation costs. The council will help people resettle, leave institutional care, or set up a new home in the borough. The Discretionary Support Scheme will provide items for the home, while direct financial aid for rent or deposits can be provided by the Discretionary Housing Payments. Or if the famil is not eligible for DHP, then they can find other resources to help with paying rent arrears.

Welfare may pay for, or provide, goods such as Seating, cribs, Beds and Bedding, nappies, kitchen appliances, and more. The assistance is normally given in kind, which means the council will have a partner bring the goods to the family. The aim of this form of assistance is to help the vulnerable individual get settled in, and remain independent, in the Halton Borough area.

Note the Discretionary Support Scheme will only help people at most twice every 12 months. For more information, dial the Halton Council scheme at 0800 952 0016, and the customer support team works Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5pm to process applications.