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An analysis of the recipients of the Discretionary Assistance Fund and of economic indicators to assess whether the payments of awards are made where the need is the greatest.

The Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) offers two types of grant. Individual Assistance Payments (IAPs) help people live independently in their home or a property that they are moving into. Emergency Assistance Payments (EAPs) help pay for essential costs, such as food, gas, electricity, clothing or emergency travel.

Main findings

  • During the year 2023-24, 95% of DAF awards were EAPs and the remaining 5% were IAPs.
  • EAP awards were concentrated among younger individuals, with 61% awarded to individuals aged 16 to 39 years. In contrast, IAPs were almost evenly split between 16 to 39 year olds (49%) and individuals aged 40 years and above (51%).
  • The value of the EAP awards decreased by £6 million between 2022-23 and 2023-24. This may in part be due to the change in payments policy in effect from 1 April 2023.
  • The four local authorities with the highest number of EAP awards per capita in 2023-24 were Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent, Newport and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Reports

Discretionary Assistance Fund, analysis report: 2024 , file type: PDF, file size: 519 KB

PDF
519 KB
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Contact

Ian Jones

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg / We welcome correspondence in Welsh.

Media

Telephone: 0300 025 8099

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