Local Welfare Provision
At the end of March 2013, Crisis Grants and Community Support
Grants were abolished as part of the government's Welfare Reform.
Bedford Borough Council introduced a new Local Welfare Provision
Policy from April 2013.
The new scheme provides the most vulnerable residents with
assistance in the form of crisis grants and community support
grants for essential household items (subject to funds being
available).
There are two elements:
Crisis Grants
Crisis Grants are designed to meet expenses that cannot be met
from another source and that have arisen as a consequence of a
disaster. Assistance will be considered where the applicant lives
in Bedford and receives benefits to cover:
· An immediate and serious risk to the health or the safety of
the applicant, their partner or a dependant child (including foster
child) where the risk has arisen as the result of a crisis,
emergency or disaster.
IMPORTANT – A disaster is an unforeseen event of great
or sudden misfortune, such as a fire. Crisis Grants should not be
seen as a means of managing the pressures of being on a low
income.
Home in the Community Grants
Home in the Community Grants are intended to help vulnerable
people live as independent a life as possible in the community.
Grants can be considered where the applicant lives in Bedford,
receives means tested benefits and the request is for a family
experiencing exceptional pressure. Help can also be considered for
applicants moving into independent living.
Click Here to
download our Home in the Comunity Grant Application
form
IMPORTANT - Home in the Community Grants are awarded for
very basic items for those experiencing genuine need.
For more information please call (01234)
718033
Click
here for our Local Welfare Provision Policy