Support in an emergency - welfare support

You will be asked to provide evidence of your finances and bills to support your application. 

Please note we are unable to assess your application unless up to date bank statements are provided. We will, however, accept screenshots of transactions made as long as we can see a balance on accounts.

This will include your most recent bank statements showing the last four weeks of transactions and a recent energy bill, or prepaid energy meter reading. We will also need your National Insurance number and contact details.

When we receive the application and bank statements an officer may contact you to gather more information. They may ask for other information or evidence, such as proof of identity, and information about money coming in and money that must be paid out.

You will be expected to upload a bank statement showing transactions for the last four weeks and balance on account for all accounts held so that they can see what essential costs you are struggling to pay for. If you have several accounts in which you transfer money to and from, we will require you to upload these statements also.

Apply online for local welfare provision

Or phone 01432 383838 during normal office hours. Phones lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am and closing at 4.15pm, except Thursdays when they close at 4pm.

If you find it difficult to use the phone, a family member, friend or member of an agency can ring on your behalf.

You will be asked to provide evidence of your finances and bills to support your application. This will include your most recent bank statements showing the last four weeks of transactions and a recent energy bill, or prepaid energy meter reading. We will also need your National Insurance number and contact details.

When assessing the application officers will consider all information available to assess the risk faced by the applicant and the priority of their application including:

• Financial circumstances and other available financial support provided
• When the applicant is due to receive their pay, pension or next benefit payment
• Any health conditions, disabilities, or other circumstances that put the applicant or household at risk
• Support already provided or available through partner organisations
• Preventative measures taken by the applicant or others in the household
• The impact of making or not making an award on the household

You may also be asked to attend a face to face appointment. If you have a support worker, or you have received support through a partner organisation, it can be helpful to ask them to write a letter or send an email confirming the situation, as sometimes they can provide more background information to support your application.

Applications will be processed within two to five working days, but this may be longer due to demands for the service.

Awards are discretionary and there is no right to appeal, but you can ask us to look at your case again within five days of our decision if you are not happy with the outcome of your application. Requests for a review of our decision must be made in writing. It must state the reasons why you are asking for a review of the decision and be signed and dated. You will be notified of the review decision within 14 days of your request. This decision will be final.

In circumstances where there is risk of significant harm or illness to a child or vulnerable adult outside of office hours, please contact:

• Adult social care: 0330 1239309
• Children's social care: 01905 768020

Herefordshire Council recognises that it has a duty to protect the public funds it administers and to prevent and detect fraud in all areas of the council's services. If an applicant receives an award from the local welfare provision (household support fund) by intentionally and dishonestly making a false declaration, or providing false evidence or statements, they may investigated in line with the Fraud Act 2006 and other relevant legislation. For more information read our Fraud prevention privacy notice.