What is the Household support fund?
The Household support fund was launched earlier this year by Department for Work and Pensions. It set aside £500m in support for vulnerable households over winter. This is part of the nationwide efforts to recover following the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund has been divided between each county using the Barnett formula, which is the usual way to apply for additional funding in England for each county. The Household support fund is designed to help ease financial pressure on residents with low incomes. It is short-term financial support to help with food, fuel bills, and other related essentials for this winter.
Surrey County Council has allocated £2m of the fund for the continued provision of food vouchers to eligible children over the October half term, Christmas holidays, and up to Easter 2022.
A further £2.8m has been allocated to borough and district councils who will work alongside representatives from the voluntary, community, and faith sector (VCF) to help the most vulnerable households in their area.
Money has also been set aside to top up food banks, community fridges, and food clubs.
Surrey County Council’s Surrey Crisis Fund will be further equipped to meet demand until the end of the financial year.
The scheme runs until 31 March 2022 or until all funds have been allocated
How do I apply?
To access the support in your area, residents in Surrey may contact their District and Borough councils.
- Elmbridge Borough Council – Household Support Fund
- Epsom and Ewell
- Household support fund – Guildford Borough Council
- Reigate and Banstead
- Spelthorne
- Tandridge
Further help
If you are If you’re struggling financially Surrey County Council has published the following advice page describing what help is available.
Please visit: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/emergency-planning-and-community-safety/coronavirus/need-help/finance
If you do not live in Surrey visit https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council to find your local council.
