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Due to essential maintenance, the following systems will be unavailable from 6.00pm on Monday 2 October until 8.00am on Tuesday 3 October: our online council tax, business rates and housing benefit services, and our welfare assistance form. You will also not be able to register to pay council tax online, make a change of address for council tax or cancel single person discount. You are still able to make a payment during this time. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Welfare assistance scheme


Our welfare assistance scheme helps you get short term support, or help to live on your own - when you need it.

If you are making a claim for Welfare Assistance, due to the unprecedented volumes being received for this support, our current processing time for Daily Living Expense claims is currently up to 2 working days.

There are two types of help.

Daily living expenses

If your circumstances change unexpectedly and you do not have access to any money, you can apply for help with your daily living expenses (for up to seven days). This includes:

  • food
  • travel
  • clothing (restrictions apply)

Settlement grant

A settlement grant will help you to stay in your home, or move back into housing, after living in supported or unsettled accommodation. For example if you're leaving care or you've been made homeless. This includes help towards:

  • beds and/or bedding
  • furniture
  • white goods (for example, cooker, fridge, washing machine)
  • kitchen equipment
  • floor coverings
  • curtains
  • storage and / or removal costs

How to apply

  • Alternatively, you can contact us by phone Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5.00pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm (we are closed bank holidays and weekends).

What if you don't qualify?

If you don't qualify, we may still be able to guide you to organisations who can help - contact us for more information.