Oadby and Wigston Borough emergency welfare schemes

Families local to Oadby & Wigston borough can apply for assistance from the discretionary local welfare scheme. This is provided as a result of funding from the central government as well as the authorities in Leicestershire County.

Any type of support in the borough is limited. Some of the eligibility requirements include the applicant needs to be local to the Oadby and Wigston borough and can’t have received any financial assistance from welfare in the past 24 months. They also need to be on benefits and have no other resources available to them.

The family can’t continue to receive help from welfare over the long term. As an example, one free food parcel may be given or the local authorities will provide some funds for a pre-paid card to pay a heating bill. If household items are needed, then maybe the council can give the family one or two pieces of pre-owned recycled furniture, and that is it. Residents can’t continue to apply.

The council uses welfare to offer heating bill help. This will be for the vulnerable that have a pre-paid meter but are still in debt arrears with their energy supplier. The Oadby & Wigston scheme can provide a small amount of money to top up a pre-paid card, so it can keep a home warm for a few more days. This can provide the household time to look into other utility bill assistance programs.

Long term help in Oadby and Wigston Borough

Welfare is for paying short term, emergency needs or bills. The support is given at most once every 24 months, and there are not even guarantees to receiving that much help. But the authorities do work with other partners in the area. This ranges from not-for-profit food banks to local soup kitchens or charities. Signposting can be given to these organisations.

Some of the key partner organisations include the following. Free food is given by Trinity Methodist Church in Oadby. Another place to turn to for a parcel is South Wigston Congregational Church, which is based on Blaby Road. The charities will offer groceries to families. Some people may not to pay a small cost for the food, but it is still affordable.

The Housing Options team can help the homeless and rough sleepers. The phone number is 257 2662. What may be available is placement into a shelter, and at a later date, a bond can cover the rent deposit. There are many other services for those individuals that are struggling with housing needs.

While the local Oadby and Wigston Borough welfare scheme will not pay for housing costs, it can provide them with furniture for their new home. This be part part of the recycling centre as noted above. Usually there may only be one or two items given (such as a bedding or kitchen supplies) but any support from welfare can always make a difference to a new tenant in the borough.

For more information, the authorities recommend that residents speak to a professional first for advice. Emergency welfare is only for a crisis. So the family needs to explore all other options first, and social worker, Gps, housing support officers or other care professionals can be a good source of information. In general, welfare grants to help with bills or food is for vulnerable households whose health and well being would be detrimentally affected. The main council office is at Station Road, Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 2DR. Phone (0116) 288 8961.