Emergency support - Local Welfare Provision

You may be eligible for Local Welfare Provision to help you:

  • Meet short-term emergency/immediate support needs
  • Establish or maintain a home in the community

Apply

  • Apply online
  • For support in applying, call 0161 770 5468 (9am - 5pm Monday to Friday)

Who is it for?

These are some examples of the types of people and circumstances that may be considered for support:

  • People who have suffered a disaster/crisis such as fire or flood
  • Families under exceptional financial pressure
  • People moving into accommodation who were previously homeless
  • Vulnerable older people
  • People fleeing domestic violence
  • People moving out of institutional residential care
  • People moving from supported accommodation to independent living
  • People who are leaving prison or detention centres
  • People who are chronically or terminally ill
  • People with alcohol or drug issues
  • People with learning difficulties

Eligibility

To be eligible for Local Welfare Provision you must be:

  1. Aged 16 or over.
  2. Be a resident of the borough or be able to demonstrate that you are about to become a resident of the borough.
  3. In receipt of benefits, for example, Income Support, Universal Credit, Council Tax Reduction, etc.

Residents not in receipt of any benefits but due to exceptional circumstances are in crisis, may also be eligible for Local Welfare Provision.

You would not be able to get Local Welfare Provision if:

  • Help is available from other funds or schemes
  • You have other ways to cover the costs (such as savings)
  • You own a property other than the one in which you live
  • The need for Local Welfare Provision has been self-imposed (for example, benefit sanction enforced, loss of employment due to misconduct)
  • You have received an award under the Local Welfare Provision scheme within the last six months
  • You have no recourse to public funds. Please contact us for advice about other crisis support that may be available.

In cases of significant exceptional need, this criterion can be relaxed

Support

Here are some examples of how you could receive help via the Local Welfare Provision:

  • Order and payment by Oldham Council to suppliers of suitable goods or services
  • Kitchen packs
  • Bedding packs

Oldham Council has the discretion to determine which goods and services are essential and will consider the circumstances of each claim individually.

The council is committed to reduce it’s carbon footprint and as part of this initiative, items awarded via the LWP scheme may be pre-loved.

All pre-loved goods are fully reconditioned, checked and cleaned prior to being offered. Any electrical goods come with the same warranty as new items.

Awards would not be given for:

  • A television or satellite cost or repair
  • Installation of a telephone or telephone line
  • Housing costs or arrears of rent
  • Costs that can be met from other sources
  • Debts
  • Motor vehicles expenses
  • TV licence
  • Costs associated with care provision