Discretionary Assistance Fund by Local authority

Variable filters

You will be able to change the filter selections once you've chosen how to view the data.
Data description

This indicates what a data value represents

3 of 3 selected
No values match your search
Type of payment
2 of 2 selected
No values match your search
Month
39 of 39 selected
No values match your search
Area
23 of 23 selected
No values match your search

Choose how to view the data

You'll be asked to choose 2 variables to show on a table
The data will be shown with columns for each of the variables in the dataset, with a data value for all combinations of variables

Next update expected:May 2026

Updates

16th October 2025
Dataset first published.

Main information

Designation
Management information
Data provider
NEC Software Solutions UK
Data source
No specific source from data provider
Time period covered
January 2023 to December 2025

Overview

Summary of dataset and variables

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.

From 1 April 2023 all applicants will be eligible for 3 payments in a 12-month rolling period. (This will include all EAP awards previously received within the past 12 months). Since 2020, people impacted by the pandemic or the loss of the £20 Universal Credit uplift have been able to receive 5 payments. These 3 payments will be at a higher value with an 11% inflationary increase given to all EAP awards. The 28-day gap between application dates will reduce to 7 days for all applicants. These changes are to allow for short and successive use of the fund in a time of crisis or emergency.

Data collection or calculation

Data relating to the DAF is collected by NEC Software Solutions UK from the administrative systems used to process applications.

All DAF figures are a measure of volumes rather than unique users, as up to three successful applications can be made by an individual in a 12-month period.

Statistical quality

DAF data is supplied to the Welsh Government by our service provider NEC Software Solutions UK. The data does not go through any formal validation processes and therefore is not published as an official statistic.

To ensure the timely reporting of DAF figures the number and values of payments refer to approved applications not applications which have been paid. This means the value of payments in this report may differ from the final amount paid to recipients.

Rounding applied

Data rounded to the nearest whole number

Related reports

Published by

Organisation
Welsh Government
Contact email
statsinclusion@gov.wales