With over 150,000 households living in fuel poverty in Wales, the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) is extending fuel cost support with two new schemes this winter. In addition to ongoing fuel payment support, those suffering financial hardship and unable to purchase sources of off-grid fuel will be able to access an Emergency Assistant Payment (EAP) as contribution towards oil or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). There is also boiler repair support available.
If you have a role in supporting households in Wales who may be struggling to heat their home this winter, read on below to find out if they may be eligible for support. For more general information about emergency support available to vulnerable households in Wales throughout the pandemic, visit the DAF’s website.
Three different types of support are available:
Support for fuel costs – gas and electricity
| What help is available? | Small grant awards (average amount £60) for essential costs of gas and electricity. This support is not restricted to a specific time-frame but is available on an ongoing basis. |
| Who is eligible? | This is a fund of last resort so can be accessed only when a household is in immediate need with no other means of funding available. |
| How will my beneficiaries receive this support? | Grants will be provided either as a PayPoint code to the individual’s mobile phone, which they can redeem locally, or as a bank transfer (BACS payment). |
| How can households apply? | Apply online or telephone: Freephone 0800 859 5924 (9:30am to 4pm Monday to Friday). |
| How many times can households apply? | Households may receive one award every 28 days, up to a maximum of three awards each year. However, increased flexibility during COVID means that households may be eligible to receive an award each week, up to a maximum of five per year. |
Support for off-grid fuel costs – oil and LPG
| What help is available? | A payment of up to £175 towards the purchase of oil or up to £60 for the purchase of LPG. This support is part of a pilot scheme, available until 31 March 2021. |
| Who is eligible? | This is a fund of last resort so can be accessed only when a household is in immediate need for off-grid fuel with no other means of funding available. |
| How will my beneficiaries receive this support? | The award will be made as a BACS (bank transfer). This means a bank account number and sort code will need to be provided during application. |
| How can households apply? | The DAF has requested that households apply via a partner-supported application online where possible. However, independently submitted applications will be accepted in some cases, for example where the team can identify rural or off-grid addresses. Telephone: Freephone 0800 859 5924 (9:30am to 4pm Monday to Friday). |
| How many times can households apply? | Households can receive one payment towards the cost of oil and up to three payments towards the costs of LPG during this pilot. |
Support for boiler repair
| What help is available? | A grant of up to £120 towards the booking of a Gas-Safe registered engineer to repair central heating boilers. This support is available from 1 December 2020 until 31 March 2021. |
| Who is eligible? | Individuals are eligible for if they are part of a low-income household in Wales, with a household member who is considered vulnerable*. |
| How can households apply? | Apply independently by phone or via a partner-supported application available online. For boilers that cannot be repaired, families may be able to access help via the Welsh Government Warm Home Nest scheme. Contact the Warm Home Nest scheme team via their freephone number: 0808 808 2244 |
*To qualify for a boiler repair payment under this pilot scheme, the applicant must:
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Have experienced a central heating boiler breakdown not under warranty or covered by a maintenance agreement and be responsible for its repair and maintenance;
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Provide written or electronic confirmation to evidence a registered service engineer has been booked, or provide a booking reference number for the engineer booking;
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Be living with children and young people aged 17 or less, older people aged 60 and over, or living with a chronic health condition or disabled people;
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Be resident in Wales and not living in social housing or private rented accommodation where the landlord is responsible for heating repairs;
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Be at least 16 years old;
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Be living in a low income household.
We’re working with the DAF to deliver these emergency fuel payments to households in need this winter. Find out how we could make your procurement process easy, saving you time and money by supporting you to deliver essential items and services wherever and whenever they’re needed.
