Local Welfare Provision

Table of Contents

The discretionary element of the social fund have been transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to local authorities from April 2013. Crisis loans and community care grants, which were part of the social fund, have ceased.

In the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead we operate a discretionary scheme called 'Local Welfare Provision'.  This means that the council has the choice as to whether to make an award or not, based on the applicant’s needs and income. 

The DWP will continue to deal with other parts of the social fund such as:

  • Budgeting loans.
  • Short term benefit advances.
  • Sure start maternity grants.
  • Funeral payments.
  • Cold weather payments.
  • Winter fuel payments.

Applicants who are tenants of Housing Associations or any other Social Landlords should apply in the first instance to their Landlords, who may be able to offer the assistance and support required.

There are a number of differences between the DWP Social Fund scheme and the borough's Local Welfare Provision.

For further information please email: LWP@RBWM.gov.uk.

Upon application, we will consider whether the request meets the criteria for Local Welfare Provision, assuming that there are still funds available in the budget. Applicants are limited to one award with the expectation that upon receiving this, the applicant will be signposted to organisations that offer further assistance or services that will prevent the need to make subsequent applications.

Housing service : Contact details

For further information, please contact us by:

Housing Service
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Town Hall, St Ives Road
Maidenhead, SL6 1RF
 

Telephone: 01628 683221