Discretionary Assistance Fund, analysis report: 2025 (summary)

The Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) is a Welsh government-funded crisis fund designed to provide financial assistance to individuals experiencing unexpected financial crisis with no other means of support. It offers two types of grants. Individual Assistance Payments (IAP) help people live independently in their home or a property that they are moving into. Emergency Assistance Payments (EAP) help pay for essential costs, such as food, gas, electricity, clothing or emergency travel.

DAF data is supplied to the Welsh Government by our service provider NEC Software Solutions UK. This data has not undergone the same level of quality assurance as Official Statistics and the data may be revised in future. This analysis was conducted by Welsh Government analysts. 

The DAF analysis report covers the period between May 2024 and April 2025, and has two aims. The first is to present an analysis of the recipients of DAF in terms of their age and ways individuals access DAF payments. The second is to examine the DAF awards in the 22 local authorities in Wales to identify any emerging patterns in specific economic indicators that might explain the number of awards in each local authority.

175,000 EAP awards were given to individuals between May 2024 and April 2025, equivalent to £14 million. That is 59,000 fewer number of awards and £5 million less in value compared to the same period a year earlier. Younger individuals, aged 16 to 39, made over 60% of the total applications, while only 5% were made by those aged 60 and above. The 16 to 39 age group were also more likely to receive more than one EAP award.

In terms of IAP, 9,000 awards were given to individuals amounting to a value of £11 million. That is 6,000 fewer number of awards and £4 million less in value compared to the same period a year earlier. IAP awards were more evenly distributed across age groups compared to EAP awards, with those aged 50-70+ receiving a larger proportion of IAP than EAP awards compared to younger groups.

EAP awards accounted for 95% of the total number of DAF awards, while IAP represented the remaining 5%. However, the distribution in terms of value was more even: 55% of the total value was spent on EAP awards while 45% was spent on IAP. This was due to the average EAP award value being £79 while the average IAP award value was £1,167.

Regarding accessibility, 99% of individuals accessed DAF awards online. Where telephone was used, this was more likely among older age groups. In a few cases, the postal route was used.

The analysis shows there was correlation between the local authorities with the highest number of EAP and IAP awards as a proportion of the population and most of the economic indicators examined, indicating the DAF awards were allocated to individuals in areas of greatest need. For instance, the four local authorities with the highest number of EAP awards per capita in 2024-25 were Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent, Newport and Rhondda Cynon Taf. These local authorities also had above average proportions of pupils eligible for Free School Meals, households receiving Universal Credit with child entitlement, and children living in relative low-income families. This indicates that DAF assistance is providing relief to individuals on benefits and to low-income families with children.

Author: Anna Ardanaz-Badia

Views expressed in this report are those of the researchers and not necessarily those of the Welsh Government.

For further information please contact:
Social Justice Research
Knowledge and Analytical Services
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

Email: SocialJusticeResearch@gov.wales

Social research number: 10/2026
Digital ISBN: 978-1-83715-949-9