A total of almost £200,000 has been allocated in Surrey Heath via the Household Support Fund.
The Government’s Household Support Grant was set up to provide financial support for vulnerable households. Awards could be given for essential household expenses such as food, energy and water or for one-off essential items.
The Council has been working in partnership with Citizens Advice Surrey Heath to administer this fund since its launch in November last year.
To the end of March 2022, £198,471 had been allocated to help vulnerable people in the Borough, across 2,068 claims.
Assistance has mainly been provided through food and energy vouchers to individuals and households.
The scheme also awarded one-off grants to local food banks at Camberley Besom and Woking Foodbank to help them continue their food parcel provision service in the borough, and to St Martin’s Church, Camberley, to help set up a new Community Larder project.
Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding and Support Cllr Shaun Garrett said: “We are pleased to have been able to work in partnership with Citizens Advice Surrey Heath to make sure this Government funding from the Household Support Fund quickly reached those who urgently needed support.
“Thousands of pounds overall has been awarded to individuals, couples and families from every ward in the Borough.
“We’ve also been able to fund local food banks, and longer term projects like the Community Larder at St Martin’s.
“I’d like to thank Citizens Advice Surrey Heath for their excellent work in administering this fund, and for ensuring the financial support was allocated as quickly as possible to those in greatest need.”
In the Spring Budget, the Government announced a new Household Support Fund which is due to be made available for vulnerable households. Once details are confirmed we will share via the SHBC website and social media channels, and the Citizens Advice Surrey Heath website.
