Starting Monday, thousands of Surrey households can apply for a £300 cost of living payment designed to help with food and energy expenses, even if they are not receiving other Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits. This support is provided through the DWP’s Household Support Fund and is aimed at residents who have a disability or long-term health condition.
Parents or carers of disabled children or children with long-term health conditions are also eligible to apply. Local council leaders in Surrey have confirmed that applications will open every Monday at 9:30 AM.
To qualify, applicants must be adults with disabilities or long-term conditions, or be caring for a child with similar needs, and be experiencing significant financial difficulties. It is important to note that this fund is not for emergencies and applicants must reside in Surrey.
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Applicants are required to provide detailed explanations of how their disability or health condition impacts their living costs. Vague statements mentioning only “food costs” or “energy bills” without further detail are unlikely to receive approval.
Each household can apply for a one-time payment of £300, regardless of the number of people living there.
The payments will not be made directly into personal bank accounts. Instead, successful applicants will receive supermarket vouchers via email or post, based on their preference. If payment is directed to an energy supplier, the funds will be transferred directly, with no separate confirmation sent. Applicants should allow up to eight weeks for processing and monitor their accounts during this period before making inquiries.
Applicants will receive an automatic confirmation email upon submission; if no confirmation is received, they should assume their application did not go through. No separate approval notifications will be given.
Local authorities emphasize that this is not a rapid-response emergency fund, and applicants should plan accordingly.