Financial support for "anybody" struggling to pay household bills
Surrey residents can still apply for the Household Support Fund
Residents in Surrey who are struggling to pay household bills and other essentials are being urged to apply for financial support.
A grant of £5.3 million was given to Surrey County Council, as part of the Household Support Fund.
It's a slice of the £421million given to local authorities by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), in November 2021.
The grants are to ease short-term financial pressures this winter, and whatever amount isn't claimed will be returned to the DWP.
The Council decided that £2 million of the fund would be used to enable the provision of food vouchers over Christmas holidays and up to Easter 2022.
A further £2.8m has been allocated to borough and district councils.
Money has also been set aside to top up food banks, community fridges and food clubs, and the Surrey Crisis Fund - an emergency fund for residents following a disaster.
Guildford Borough Council
We know that at least in Guildford, grants are still available until the end of March to help vulnerable families and individuals struggling to afford food, clothing, fuel and other household essentials.
Guildford Borough Councillor Julia McShane, Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Councillor for Community, said: “We are helping tackle fuel poverty through our Household Support Fund. The Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has had a huge impact on our lives socially and financially.
"These grants are to support our vulnerable residents and families with fuel, food and other essential items during the coldest months of the year.
“By the end of December we had received 336 applications. The applications show that increasing fuel costs are putting people into financial hardship and having to make choices over food or fuel, as well as clothing for children.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Cllr McShane explained the support is there for "anybody" over the age of 16
"Anybody can apply for this fund if they're over 16, whether they're in work or receiving benefits, it doesn't matter. If they're struggling to be able to provide food and pay for their fuel and basic essentials, then I would encourage them to to apply to this fund.
"We will continue to accept applications up to the 31st of March, and we'll try to help as many people as we can with the money that we've been given."
Lead Councillor for Resources, Cllr Tim Anderson said: “It’s excellent that we have this money available to help our vulnerable residents.
"We know how difficult these next few months can be with the cost of Christmas, the cold and wet weather, and the recent rise in fuel prices."
Residents are being asked to give as much detail as possible to help the council assess household needs and priorities, when filling out their application.
More information about the fund and links to district and borough council support can be found on the Surrey County Council's website.