Help with household costs
Energy Support Scheme
Households are receiving a £400 discount to help with the cost of energy bills, at the rate of £66 per month for six months from October 2022 to April 2023.
Home Upgrade Scheme
Over £12m of grant funding is available for Surrey residents whose homes are not heated by gas, to make their homes more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
For more details and to find out if you’re eligible – visit www.actionsurrey.org
Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBBS)
Households without a direct relationship to a domestic energy supplier, including those living in park homes or residents living in care homes, could be eligible to receive a £400 discount on their fuel bills. The application deadline is 31 May 2023.
Check your eligibility and apply online by typing 'Apply for energy bills support if you do not get it automatically' in the search bar on GOV.UK or an internet search engine.
Alternatively, if you do not have access to the internet, call 0808 175 3287 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am - 6pm).
Please note that it might take up to 30 days to process your application.
Be wary of scams. Applications may only be made centrally via the gov.uk website and then passed on to us to make the £400 payment to eligible households. You will never be asked to apply for EBBS Alternative Funding via email or text.
If you use alternative fuels for heating (Alternative Fuel Payment)
The Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP) is a one-off £200 payment to households that use alternatives to mains gas for heating, such as:
- Bottled gas
- Coal
- Heating oil
- Liquified petroleum gas (LPG)
- Wood
Most homes will receive this as a credit on their electricity bill from February 2023.
If you do not automatically receive this payment you may need to apply through the AFP Alternative Fund.
Find out more about the Alternative Fuels Payment and Alternative Fund.
If you are unable to apply online or need help with your application, please ring on 0808 175 3943, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. The application deadline is 31 May 2023.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter. It’s a one-off discount, between October 2022 and March 2023 as part of the GOV.UK: Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Safe and Secure Grant
Support for older or disabled residents on lower income to improve safety and promote independence. Find out more about the Safe and Secure Grant.
Surrey Crisis Fund
A discretionary fund providing financial help to residents who have nowhere else to turn in an emergency or after a disaster.
Tax-Free Childcare
You can get up to £500 every three months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare.
Find out more and register at: GOV.UK: Tax-Free Childcare
Benefit-related support
If you are on a low income or are experiencing a change in financial circumstances, the Government offer a range of benefits and help to fulfil individual requirements:
- Jobseekers allowance
- Universal Credit
- Employment Support Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Council Tax Support
- Legacy Housing Benefit (mainly for pensioners)
Cost of Living Payment
If you’re eligible, you will get an extra payment to help with the cost of living if you’re entitled to certain benefits or tax credits.
You may get a payment of £650 paid in two lump sums of £326 and £324 if you get payments of any of the following; Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
The payment will be made separately from your benefit, and you do not need to apply, you’ll be paid automatically. Find out more on GOV.UK: Cost of Living Payment.
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
A one-off £300 will be paid with Winter Fuel Payments to all pensioner households.
Disability Cost of Living Payment
£150 for those on eligible UK disability benefit from 20 September 2022.
Find out more at GOV.UK: Cost of Living Payment
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is a benefit that helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough than you need someone to look after you.
Personal Independence Payment
The Personal Independence Payment is a benefit that can help with extra living costs if you have both:
-
a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
-
difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition