Financial support for residents

Updated: 13.11.23

The Government announced it will continue to support households most in need, to help with global inflationary challenges and the significantly rising cost of living, by providing an additional £842m for the Household Support Fund across England. These funds were distributed to authorities to be allocated in line with Government guidance.

The Household Support Fund helps households with the cost of essentials such as food, energy and water bills and wider essentials such as clothing and white goods.

The Waverley Household Support Fund does not provide immediate emergency support for households in crisis.  

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 to our application-based scheme.

Applying for support

You will need to complete an application form to receive support through the Household Support Fund. 

Applications are limited to one per household. This will enable us to support as many households as possible with the funds available.

You do not need to be in receipt of benefits to apply but you will need to demonstrate, through your application, that you need support.

Applications will close once all funds have been spent or by 31 March 2024, whichever is the sooner.  

What can I apply for?

Grants of up to £550 are available towards:

• Food

• Utilities - gas, electricity and water

• Essentials linked to energy and water such as warm clothing, boiler repair, heaters, draught excluders

• Essential household appliances such as a cooker, washing machine, microwave, slow cooker, air fryer

• Essential household items such as school uniform, bedding.

Mortgage support will not be awarded. If you are having difficulties with your mortgage payments, contact your lender as soon as possible. Citizens Advice South West Surrey can also offer you advice if you are struggling to pay your mortgage.

Who can apply?

The Household Support Fund can provide help to those who are:

• A household living in Waverley

• Finding it hard to pay essential household bills.

How do I apply?

Please complete the online application form. Please answer all questions fully and provide details about your circumstances otherwise your application may be turned down.

Household Support Fund Application Form

If you need a paper copy of the form, or require help completing an application, please contact the Household Support Fund Co-ordinator on 01483 523204.

The council is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information your have provided in your application for the prevention and detection of fraud. 

What happens after I have submitted my application?

You will receive an email confirming we have received your application and asking you to send a recent bank/building society statement. 

Your application will start to be processed once this information is received.

Your application will be assessed by a panel. We aim to let you know the outcome of your application within 10 working days from receipt of all requested information, however, during periods of high demand this may take longer.  Please avoid contacting the council for an update on your application.

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.   

The ‘Help for Households’ campaign explains the different Government schemes available to help with the cost of living, covering new one-off payments and existing benefits and schemes, including:

• Income support 
• Help with your energy bills
• Help with childcare costs
• Housing support
• Help with transport costs
• Help finding work

Help for Households (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