UK Bill Help

Residents of Maidstone that have used up all of the grants, loans from credit unions, and national benefits but still need help may be able to get financial assistance from the welfare scheme. The council created this as a last resort. It uses central government money, so funding is limited. But a family may be able to get help with Home Essentials, which includes furniture, clothing, and even electric or gas bill help.

The Maidstone welfare scheme is discretionary, and it is also a last resort for people with no other means of support. Money for paying bills or other needs will not be provided, and clients are given a voucher instead. The applicants also need to be local to Maidstone, aged 16 or over, and be either on a government benefit or a low income. The applicant also can’t have any savings and need to bring their National Insurance number, as welfare is only for UK residents.

Maidstone welfare and Home Essentials

This form of assistance from the council is both one time only and is for families under exceptional financial pressure. If a health or safety issue is faced by the applicant, then they can be given financial help for paying their electric bills. Or the funds can help pay heating costs or other utilities. Or if they need critical items for their home, such as milk, baby food, and nappies, seven days of groceries, or essential electrical appliances to stay warm, then those items will be given.

Home Essentials can also help with non crisis needs. This will be when the Maidstone (as well as its partners) give in-kind goods to the family. Second hand supplies are passed out, and this will be items for a home or flat. The most common types of goods range from furniture to bedding, crockery, or clothing for work or school. Even if a partner in Kent County or the city of Maidstone does not have these items available, the vouchers will be used. So a number of non-emergency needs are address. Find other sources of free vouchers.

Women, children, or refugees fleeing violence can be given vouchers to pay for emergency travel. This will be for public transport only, and the travel needs to be more local. The emergency threatening this applicant needs to be around health or safety issues to get the transportation. Also ,once they get to their destination, the victim can be given clothing, secondhand furniture for a new home, or financial aid to get their lights connected in a new flat.

Housing costs, namely rent, can also be covered. While the Maidstone welfare scheme does not directly provide this, it is often combined with a Discretionary Housing Payment. This will be for a tenant that is on LHA. The government will pay some of the housing rental costs that the tenant can’t pay. But all of the flats need to be approved by the council.

All of the Maidstone welfare schemes are short term only. There is enough given to usually cover the family for 7 days. This is true when it comes to food or electric bill help. The clothing articles given out may be only 3 outfits, so that is a little shorter. In any case, welfare is temporary emergency relief for the client.

Applications to welfare in Maidstone

It is recommended to ring, or drop in, at a Job Centre Plus location first. As the council will want proof that the person applied for all other forms of financial help first, before welfare is issued. The advisor at the Job Centre Office can be sure this takes place. So the scheme will not given food, electric help, etc. until programmes such as Budgeting Loan/Budgeting Advance or Hardship payments have been used up for.

However, to learn more, their post is Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6JQ. But as noted try the Job Centre Office at County Gate One, Staceys St, Maidstone ME14 1ST, (telephone 345 604 3719).