Financial support for residents

Updated: 22.11.24

SCAM WARNING: Household Support Fund text messages

We have been made aware of scam text messages claiming to be from Government departments asking people to click links to apply for financial support. Advice about avoiding scams, and how to report them, can be found on GOV.UK

Updated: 12.9.2024

The Government have confirmed that the Household Support Fund will be extended up until April 2025.

Details on the scheme for local authorities and councils will be communicated to Surrey County Council in the coming weeks and they willl work with wider partners in Surrey to allocate the funding in the most appropriate way. We will update this webpage when further information is available.

Household Support Fund Scheme 5

The Household Support Fund Scheme 5 for households to apply to is now closed as all our funds have been spent.

Since re-opening the scheme in May, we have allocated £70,000 to households that applied to us for support.  We have also allocated £48,000 to eight local, not for profit organisations so that they can help their clients who are struggling with the cost of living.

If you’re struggling financially, other help is available. For further information, please see the other sections on this page.

Background information about the Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund is a national scheme funded by the UK Government. It supports households in England that are most in need with the cost of essentials. £421m has been made available for the Household Support Fund across England. These funds have been distributed to authorities to be allocated in line with Government guidance.

There have been four Household Support Fund Schemes.  Scheme 5 was announced by the Chancellor in his Spring Budget on 6 March 2024.

The council has allocated some funds to local organisations to directly help their service users. The remaining funds are available for Waverley residents to apply for through our application-based scheme.

Privacy Notice

The Privacy Notice for the Household Support Fund explains what happens to the personal information you provide when you contact Waverley Borough Council. 

Additional support – Surrey Welfare Line

Are you confident you are receiving all the benefits and tax credits you are entitled to? Are you stressed about debt or worrying about how to make your money stretch further? Help is out there - Citizens Advice have teamed up with Surrey County Council to offer tailored financial advice to check that your finances are in the best shape they can be.

If you are interested in finding out more, and how you might be able to maximise your income, please contact Surrey’s Welfare Line on 0300 200 1008 and ask to be referred for “HSF Advice Services”.

The Government's Cost of Living webpages provide an overview of support available to help with the cost of living including income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel.

Cost of Living Support (GOV.UK)

Surrey Crisis Fund

The Surrey Crisis fund is a discretionary fund run by Surrey County Council providing financial help to Surrey residents who have nowhere else to turn in an emergency or after a disaster. It can also provide assistance to set up a home in the community where no other funds or resources are available. This is a discretionary fund run by Surrey County Council and may be able to assist with food and toiletries, certain utilities, emergency travel costs and more.  

The fund aims to support people for one occasion and signpost to long-term help to prevent ongoing need.

Visit Surrey Crisis Fund (surreycc.gov.uk) or call 0300 200 1008.

We can consider awarding a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) if there is gap between the amount of rent you must pay and the amount of housing benefit / Local Housing Allowance or Universal Credit you receive.

DHP can top-up housing benefit, but the total amount cannot be more than you pay in rent.

Find out more about the Discretionary Housing Payment and how to apply

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) are designed to help people with disabilities to have independence in their homes. They are available to owner-occupiers, tenants and landlords. They are mandatory up to a value of £30,000 for a range of adaptations.

To apply visit: Waverley Borough Council - Disabled Facilities Grant 

If you need help with rent or living expenses then you may qualify for Universal Credit or other benefits. 

Find out more about Universal Credit on GOV.UK

Details about other benefits on GOV.UK