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Forum Home  →  Discussion  →  Covid-19 issues  →  Thread

Greater flexibility in DAF due to coronavirus and removal of UC £20 extended to end of March 2023

Vonny
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Welfare rights adviser - Social Inclusion Unit, Swansea

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Total Posts: 487

Joined: 17 June 2010

update from DAF (sorry to people in England):

Flexibilities will continue post-April
Welsh Government have announced the current DAF flexibilities in place (4th and 5th EAP payments, 1 award in every 7 days) will continue throughout the next financial year. The flexibilities have been extended until the end of March 2023.

To confirm, the flexibilities can continue to be applied in the following circumstances: 
• The household is in immediate need for help due to financial impact from Covid (such as experienced redundancy, reduced hours or similar.)
• The household is in immediate need of help due to being impacted by the removal of the Universal Credit (UC) uplift.

Standard EAP limits will apply otherwise (up to 3 awards in the rolling 12 months)


Off-grid fuel support will also continue post-April
There will be ongoing provision to support off-grid fuel costs post-April. Welsh Government have confirmed this has been extended until the end of March 2023.

Application process:
• Applications should be made as formally partner-supported applications.
• To make an application: professionals can email the team and request a call back (please use the .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) & include your direct contact details).
• Professionals need consent from the client to make the application on their behalf, but you do not need the client with you when you make the application.
• Please note: you will NOT be able to access off-grid fuel support through the online application process.

Off-grid fuel support available:
• Oil – EAP payment for up to £250 as a contribution towards the purchase of a tank of oil. Maximum of one award for oil in a rolling 12 months
OR
• LP Gas – EAP payment for up to £70 as a contribution towards of the purchase of LP gas. This can be awarded up to three times in a rolling twelve months (subject to the client’s EAP award history and maximum support limit.)

The award will be made as a BACS (bank transfer) only.
You will need to provide the client’s bank account number & sort code at point of application.
Please ask clients to keep all receipts as spot checks will be undertaken.


EAP support for those impacted by the recent storms
The Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP) can help households who have been impacted by the recent storms to cover essential costs – the grant can help with food, gas and electricity costs for households in immediate need.
If a household has suffered power outages and are dealing with spoiled food (such as defrosted food) - one claim can be made in a rolling twelve months.
Please remember, the EAP remit does not cover repairs or remedial costs.


Reminder: DAF support for travel costs for EU citizens – Closes 31 March 2022
The Discretionary Assistance Fund support with transport costs for EU citizens needing to establish their status is currently still available. This support will close at the end March 2022. Applications for travel costs for EU/EEA & Swiss Nationals should be supported by a DAF partner organisation.