Swansea Discretionary Assistance Fund for paying bills

Either payments are made for bills in arrears (including fuel or electric) or free, in-kind items are given to families on a low income in the city of Swansea. The Discretionary Assistance Fund is the local welfare scheme, and it helps both struggling residents as well as anyone in a financial crisis or emergency.

The aim of the scheme is to offer one time, short term assistance to anyone on a low income and in urgent need of help. The Swansea council works to maintain the health and well-being of families. This includes needs such as housing, food, transportation, ensure they stay warm and more. Discretionary financial aid is the tool used to allow people to be safe.
Assistance from fund is a last resort

When seeking either financial help or free in kind goods, the council welfare scheme is last resort. Applicants for the Discretionary Assistance Fund need to have no other access to cash or means available to them. They can’t have savings; receive qualify for Social Fund loans for their bills or rent; can’t have friends or family to fall back on for help. Any grant for paying bills or expenses is one time only, and it will not pay future bills. It is a last resort.

Swansea welfare scheme grants

Families, or individuals on a low income who face an unexpected crisis can get emergency financial help in the form of grant payments. The council will only authorise payments directly to the utility company, landlord, or other creditor; no cash is given to the recipient.

Emergency financial help will be to pay bills that if left in arrears would lead to a health or safety issue. This can be an older or vulnerable person who is about to lose their heat during the winter. The Swansea council may help them keep their power on. There can be grants to pay for transportation to a job or medical bill/medications. Food, hot meals, blankets, heaters, and other similar emergency needs can be paid from the Swansea Discretionary Assistance Fund.

Free food is also offered as part of the scheme. There are other in-kind goods that will be gently used, and that may be a fridge or white goods. All of these items are free and given to the client from partners including (1) Trussell Trust or a (2) free furniture scheme.

Swansea residents who are on government benefits – central government welfare may get help from the Swansea Discretionary Assistance Fund Emergency Assistance Payments. This will be for poor people or the vulnerable who are on pension credit; income related welfare benefits; Universal Credit; Local Housing Allowance for their rent; or some other government welfare benefit. Applicants need to also be over the age of 16.

This part of welfare will help the recipient live independently and keep them in the city. This often means that housing matters are covered, ranging from furniture to white goods, rent, or a deposit. This form of assistance will also help the formerly homeless or someone leaving a hospital too.

To apply for grant or free items, the address is Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3SN. ring the council at 792 636000.