Exeter Local Welfare Support scheme

People within the Exeter city guidelines can get financial support from the Exeter Local Welfare scheme. The government funded programme is used to provide everything from money management advice to emergency financial assistance for paying various expenses, as noted below.

All applications go through the council, and they can come from individuals or partner support organisations such as Citizens Advice, the Salvation Army, and others. Cash is never paid out, but rather the Exeter Welfare Support scheme will either give pre-paid cards or in-kind goods. All criteria need to be met in order to get the assistance from the government. The bills that can be paid (using the cards) include the following.

• Housing costs including rent, utility bills, electricity costs, or rental deposits.
• Essential appliances can be replaced, and this may be a washer or fridge.
• Vouchers are given to families in the city of Exeter that are threatened with hunger.
• Items for a home are given out for free, ranging from beds to kitchen supplies, couches, and other household supplies.
• All sorts of utilities, including referrals to schemes that can offer help for paying gas bills.

Even when financial assistance is provided, there will not be cash given out to the client. Instead any funds are given on pre-paid, or smart cards. The card will be “loaded” with funds, and it can only be used to pay for the bill that was authorised. So if welfare funds are aimed at paying water or electric bills, then that is all it can be used for. The same applies for travel and more.

Rental assistance is much harder to get. If the family needs money to pay the upfront costs for a flat or home, then the council will use the deposit bond scheme. If the need is for any arrears on rent for a property, then discretionary housing payment (DHP) are often used. But in all cases housing assistance from the Exeter Local Welfare Emergency Support scheme is much harder to get.

Money management and budgeting advice

Since poverty has many different causes to it, the Exeter council wants to ensure that the Local Welfare Support scheme clients is given the assistance they need to overcome their hardship. As providing free clothing or food will only go so far; what is most important is for the family to gain stability. This is why welfare grants are combined with advice. The council offers everything from budgeting services to employment as well as money management.

A holistic assessment is done of the household. The council, or its partners, assess any debt as well as loans that are outstanding. They will need evidence of income as well as employment to assess what the client can or can’t pay on their own. All of the advice, whether around employment or debt reduction, is provided for free as part of the Exeter Local Welfare Support scheme.

Each application is closely assessed by staff from the council as well as authorised partners. Each application is reviewed to determine the client’s financial circumstances. They will look at the budgetary circumstances of the applicant, they will determine what other steps as well as preventative measures the client has implemented, and determine if the client has sought financial aid from other charities. Or if needed, the staff link clients to debt help schemes. As any grants from the Exeter Local Welfare Support scheme are a last resort.

A decision is made within 3 days. Not everyone can get financial help. But if the council can’t provide assistance from one of the grants or in kid items, then they may signpost the applicant to other agency. The council hours are Monday to Thursday until 5pm. Post is Paris Street, Exeter, EX1 1JD, or dial 01392 265808 for information.