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The Department of Work and Pensions announced a Household Support Grant of £500 million to be allocated across the UK. Surrey County Council has been allocated £5.3m to help those most vulnerable residents who are struggling financially. The funding has been provided to help with food, energy bills, water and other essentials.
Criteria for allocation is that 50% of the funding needs to be allocated to those families most in financial need with households with children under 19 as at 31 March 2022. At this stage funding has already been allocated to those families whose children are entitled to benefits-related Free School Meals with a £15 supermarket voucher for use over the October half term. Surrey County Council are reviewing whether this can be extended further with this funding for subsequent half term breaks this winter and spring.
How will further funds be allocated?
The County Council, in consultation with district and borough councils and representatives from the Voluntary Community and Faith Sector, have met to discuss the best routes to ensure that funding is allocated to those people most in need, as expediently as possible. In partnership they have reviewed existing county wide organisations that are in contact with those residents that they know to be in financial hardship. How these funds are allocated across the county using existing networks will be announced shortly.
What if people need funding now?
Whilst the mechanism for getting funding out to the most appropriate people is worked out. Surrey County Council acknowledges that there are people who need help now. The Surrey Crisis Fund can be contacted and they can help with food and fuel if families are struggling.
Visit Surrey Crisis Fund online here, or If you have no access to the internet, you may get help to access the internet at your local library or by visiting your local Citizens Advice Bureau, who can help people to apply online.
Anyone n need of assistance can call Surrey County Council's Community Helpline on 0300 200 1008 (SMS 0786 0053 465 for Deaf and hearing impaired residents only), Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.