Cost of Living Support Payment

The Welsh Government Cost of Living Scheme was made up of 2 elements; a main scheme and a discretionary scheme. The main scheme has now closed.

Discretionary Scheme

In addition to supporting eligible categories through the main scheme, each local authority may use the funding provided under the Discretionary Scheme to provide support to households it considers to be in need of assistance with their living costs.

The approved scheme for Merthyr Tydfil CBC Discretionary Scheme is set out below:

A £100 payment to be made available to a property in a Band E, F, G, H or I, that was liable for council tax on 15 February 2022, in occupation of the property on 15 February 2022 and hasn’t received a payment through the main scheme.

A £150 payment to be made available to a property occupied on 15 February 2022 that hasn’t received a payment under the main scheme and receives one of the following exemptions:

• Class N – Student Household
• Class S – Household under 18
• Class U – Severe mental impairment
• Class X – Care Leaver
• Class W – Granny Annex

A £150 payment to be made available for a household that is liable on 15 February 2022, hasn’t received a payment from the main scheme and receives one of the following exemptions:

• Class I or J – receiving/providing personal care
• Class E – Resident in a hospital/Care Home.

A £100 payment in respect of each child eligible for free school meals.

Any surplus funds from this scheme will be allocated to The Food Bank

The following properties will not be considered as eligible for the Discretionary Cost of living payment:

• Unoccupied properties
• Long Term empty properties
• Second Homes
• Properties left unoccupied by a person in prison

Empty properties and second homes are NOT eligible for a payment, only properties that were occupied on the 15th February 2022.

How to apply?

Before applying you will need:

• Your invitation letter from us as this contains your unique code. Please note: your access key is time limited to 30 days
• Your Council Tax reference number (this can be found on your Council Tax bill or any correspondence that we have sent you)
• Your bank details (your name as it appears on your bank card, your sort code and your account number)
• Your email address (this will be used to send you confirmation of payment-if you do not have an email address you can still apply but will not receive confirmation of your payment, it will just be paid into the bank account that you provide)

Please make sure that you complete all parts of the application form and check the details that you enter.

Once you have applied, please allow 30 days for the payment to be processed.

If you provide an email address, you will receive an email to confirm that your payment is going to be made. If you do not provide an email address the payment will just be made into the bank account that you provide to us.

Please do not contact us to find out the progress of your application as this will delay us being able to make payment.

If you have all the information stated above, please apply below:

Apply

We urge residents to be mindful of emails, texts or telephone calls from suspicious sources offering information on the scheme, as this could be from someone who is trying to steal your personal information, such as your bank account details.

We will use information we have to confirm eligibility and make payments, including information from your council tax account and winter fuel payments you received. Article 6(1)(e) UK GDPR​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​( https://www.gov.uk/data-protection) allow us to use data in the public interest.

Additional Support

Advicelink Cymru

For debt and money advice and further information on any additional financial support you may be entitled to, you may wish to contact Advicelink Cymru. Please call Freephone 0800 702 2020 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or access information or talk to an adviser online

Discretionary Assistance Fund

If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible for support through the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF). You can apply to the DAF via the website https://gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf/how-apply or by Freephone telephone on 0800 859 5924

Warm Homes Scheme

The Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme offers a range of free, impartial advice and, if you are eligible, a package of free home energy efficiency improvements such as a new boiler, central heating or insulation. This can lower your energy bills and benefit your health and wellbeing. For more information, call Freephone: 0808 808 2244 or visit https://nest.gov.wales