Additional Support

Worried about the rising cost of living?

Are you worried about increased energy bills and the growing cost of putting food on the table? Are you managing on a low income and struggling to make ends meet?
Surrey Heath Borough Council and our partners are doing everything we can to help support our local community.

Finances

Government Energy Bill Support Schemes – Alternative Funding

The government has announced two new schemes which will be available from 27 February 2023 for those households who are not entitled to the £400 discount via Energy Support Scheme.

Please do not telephone or email us regarding these schemes.

All applications will need to be made directly to central government via GOV.UK

If you are eligible for the current scheme, you will not be entitled to these two new alternative payments.

Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding

This scheme is intended to provide the £400 of support for households across the UK that would otherwise miss out on the Energy Bill Support Scheme as they do not have a domestic electricity contract.

The government will be opening the scheme for applications from 27 February 2023 via GOV.UK.

If you are eligible for the payment, your payment details will be shared with Surrey Heath Borough Council to verify your home address and make the payment.

We will keep this page updated with any additional information.

Alternative Fuel Payments

This scheme is intended to deliver a one-off payment of £200 to UK households who are not on the mains gas grid and therefore use alternative fuels, such as heating oil, to heat their homes.

The government will be opening the scheme for applications from 27 February 2023 via GOV.uk.

If you are eligible for the payment, your payment details will be shared with Surrey Heath Borough Council to verify your home address and make the payment.

We will keep this page updated with any additional information.

Household Support Fund

In the first two phases of the Government funded Household Support Fund scheme earlier this year, the Council distributed £338,654 in grants via Citizens Advice Surrey Heath, and direct support to local foodbanks, building upon the support provided to individuals and families on low incomes with essential household expenses such as food, energy and water.  

The latest phase of the Household Support Fund (HSF) is now open to applications in Surrey Heath, aimed at vulnerable households struggling with the rising cost of living. Grants of up to £100 are available, payable in supermarket vouchers.

You could be eligible if you live in Surrey Heath and:

are in receipt of means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit
are of pensionable age and on a low income
have a disability and are claiming a disability benefits
are on a low income but have not received any of the Government cost of living payments

How to apply

SHBC is working in partnership with Citizens Advice Surrey Heath to deliver this scheme, and the quickest way to apply is online on the Citizens Advice Surrey Heath website (external website), or if you don’t have access to the internet you can call 01276 417906 and an adviser will call you back to assist you.

Deadline for applications is 31 March 2023, subject to funds being available.

Please note that you will be required to provide the following in order to be awarded a grant:

Proof of ID (for example a passport or driving licence)
Proof of address (for example a recent utility bill)
Recent bank statements and/or evidence of benefit awarded.

The total funding allocation for this round of the HSF for Surrey Heath is £140,529.

Help for Households

The government has announced further support for households, including £400 off energy bills for all households from this October, and a cost of living payment of £650 for households on means tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits. More information on this and other cost of living support available can be found at the government's Help for Households webpages. In addition the Government confirms details of a single £600 payment to help households in Northern Ireland with energy bills and £200 payment for Great Britain households that use alternative fuels like heating oil, details can be found in the government’s press release. Please note a dedicated government customer helpline will be available to assist customers who do not have online access, with further details to be released next month. Please do not contact Surrey Heath direct as we have no additional details and the claim for support will have to be made online to a government website.

Financial help and advice

SHBC has provided funding to Citizens Advice Surrey Heath (CASH) to help ensure support, information and guidance relating to the cost of living crisis is available to all residents who need it.

Overwhelmed by increasing costs?

For confidential guidance on the help that is available, you can visit the CASH website, or call them on 01276 417900. There is support available, and you can find lots of helpful information via their website, including this worrying about money webpage.
You may also be able to reduce your household expenditure on certain items. More information here: Reducing your regular living costs - Citizens Advice.

You may be entitled to Benefits

You may be entitled to benefits, even if you are in full time employment. Use this SHBC online benefits calculator to check your possible entitlement for benefits, including help with your rent and Council Tax costs.

You can also call SHBC on our main number – 01276 707100 – and talk to our officers about any issues you may be experiencing (Mon-Thur 8.30am-5pm, Fri 8.30am-4.30pm).

Help with Energy Costs

Are you worried by rising fuel costs, or getting into debt to your gas or electricity supplier?

Funding and Grants are often available for home improvements to help reduce your energy consumption and make your home more efficient. Visit Action Surrey to find out what you may be able to apply for. Funding is currently available for home energy efficiency improvements through the Sustainable Warmth grant.

Citizens Advice Surrey Heath may be able to help you find a cheaper supplier. By supplying details about your current energy provider and tariff, they can run a price comparison check and talk you through the results, possibly making your energy costs cheaper for you moving forward. Contact Citizens Advice Surrey Heath on 01276 417900 or client@camberley.cabnet.org.uk.

Reducing Energy Consumption

Reducing your energy consumption and making sure your home is as energy efficient as possible will help you manage your costs and will help you reduce your impact on the environment. More information can be found on the Energy Savings Trust webpage.

Managing Energy Debt

Project Wenceslas was set up by Woking Lions Club to help the people of Woking and surrounding areas (including parts of Surrey Heath) who may be struggling to pay their fuel bills, and have possibly built up debt to their energy supplier.
Money is collected from people who are awarded the Government’s Winter Fuel Allowance but who choose to donate it to those in Fuel Poverty. For residents in Surrey Heath it is administered through Citizens Advice Surrey Heath.

Small grants are available to individuals who make an application and who meet certain criteria.

Warm banks

The Council has changed the terms of the Surrey Heath Emergency Food Poverty grant scheme to allow not-for-profit organisations to apply for funding for energy costs to help support the setting up of ‘warm banks’.
Warm banks are places in the Borough such as libraries, community centres and church halls that people can go to keep warm during the day, which will help manage the increasing costs of energy bills, and can help alleviate isolation and loneliness.
Up to £5,000 can be applied for via this grant scheme, now known as the Emergency Food, Fuel and Energy Scheme. Visit here for more details.
View the list of warm banks in Surrey here.

Current warm banks in Surrey Heath

Camberley Library
Address: Knoll Road, Camberley, GU15 3SY
Opening times:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9.30am to 5.30pm
Tuesday: 9.30am to 7pm - Warm Space
Saturday: 9.30am to 5pm - Warm Space

Frimley Green Methodist Church
Address: 8 The Green, Frimley Green, Camberley, GU16 6HF
Opening times:
Monday: 10.30am to 2.15pm - Soup and Bread, Hot Drinks & Biscuits/Cakes
Thursday: 1pm to 4pm - Soup and Bread, Hot Drinks & Biscuits/Cakes

Frimley Library
Address: Beech Road, Frimley Green, Camberley GU16 6LQ
Opening times:
Monday: 1pm to 5pm - Warm Space
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 10am to 1pm then 2pm to 5pm - Warm Space
Saturday: 9.30am to 4pm - Warm Space

Frimley Parish Church
Address: St Peter's Church Hall, Parsonage Way, Frimley, GU16 8HZ
Opening times: Monday from 12pm to 1.30pm - Soup & a Chat

High Cross Church
Address: 1 Knoll Road, Camberley GU15 3SY
Opening times: Tuesday 2.15pm - 4.15pm - Monday from 12pm to 1.30pm - Hot drinks and Biscuits

St Martins Church
Address: 231 Upper College Ride, Camberley, GU15 4HE
Opening times:
Wednesday Cafe: 10am to 11.30am - Warm Space & Hot Drink
Saturday Cafe: 10am to 11am - Warm Space & Hot Drink
Sunday Free Community Breakfast: 10am to 2pm

St Michaels Church
Address: 286 London Road, Camberley, GU15 3JP
Opening times: Wednesday from 10am to 1pm - Warm Space

St Mary’s Church
Address: St Marys Church, Park Road Camberley GU15 2SR
Opening times: Term times only, Mon 9-11am for preschool families Wed 10.45-11.am, Thurs 9.30-11.30am for anyone. - Warm Space & Hot Drink. Please note this warm bank will not be open on 28/12/2022.

The Hope Hub
Address: Knoll Road, Camberley GU15 3SY
Opening times: Tuesday and Thursday 9am - 5.30pm - Hot meal, refreshments, activities, workshops, support

Debt management

It is important to identify and deal with your ‘priority debts’ first – if you don’t pay these you could be evicted, fined or even imprisoned. There’s useful information at the Citizens Advice website, and a budgeting tool on the National Debtline website.

If you need to borrow money, it is best to avoid payday loans, doorstep lenders and loan sharks, which will cost you a lot of money.

If you have borrowed from a loan shark or are worried about someone else, Stop Loan Sharks can help and keep you safe. Stop Loan Sharks investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders and provides support for borrowers in the UK.

Credit Union

Loans from credit unions are much cheaper, safe and easy to access, and there are no hidden charges or penalties. Our local credit union is Boom Community Bank.

Boom Community Bank is like a high street bank in that it lends to borrowers, looks after money for savers and provides current accounts; however, it does not operate to make a profit. Boom’s purpose is to help its customers build financial resilience by providing accessible financial services with an emphasis on regular savings, even for those who borrow. Boom Community Bank pledges fair, transparent loan pricing and is committed to responsible lending principles. Visit Boom’s website for more information on loans, savings, and current accounts, email them at info@boomcb.org.uk, or call 01903 237221.

Food Poverty

If you are experiencing food poverty, please contact Citizens Advice Surrey Heath via their website or on 01276 417900 or the Council. You can contact SHBC on 01276 707100 or contact.centre@surreyheath.gov.uk.

Struggling with the cost of food

Reducing food waste may help you manage the cost of the food for your household: Advice on this can be found here.

Food Banks

The Council has provided additional funding to our local food banks. If you need the support of a food bank, you can get a food bank voucher from a front line professional, such as a doctor, social worker, adviser at Citizens Advice, Frontline, SHBC’s Housing/Family Support/Welfare team, Surrey County Council’s Children’s and Adult Social Care teams, Accent and other social housing providers or the police.

Your nearest Citizens Advice can often refer you if you do not have contact with the police, doctor or a social worker. They will ask you about your circumstances, income and needs, and will ask if it is just you that needs food or if you also have a family to feed.

Our food parcels are generally provided by the Camberley Besom and Woking Food Bank (which covers Chobham, West End, Bisley) - they normally require a referral. The Bisley and West End Food Bank has recently opened. A referral is required to access this food bank. More information can be found on the respective websites.

Free Food Stall

Old Dean Community Group and St Martin's Church run a Free Food Stall every Sunday from 12.30-1.30pm in the Youth Centre, Old Dean.

St Martin’s Church also run a Free Community Breakfast at St Martin's Church Hall, Old Dean, on Sundays from 10-10.40am. St Martin’s Church also offer the free Wednesday and Saturday Cafe from 10-11.30am, - both cafes serve free refreshments and everyone is welcome.

For more information visit the Old Dean Community Group Facebook page or St Martin's Camberley Facebook page or email odcog.stmartins@gmail.com

Homelessness

The Council recently opened an Emergency Accommodation Service in Camberley offering short-term accommodation for people needing emergency housing. If you are experiencing issues due to homelessness, please visit our Homelessness webpage. You can also call our contact centre on 01276 707100 to get advice, or visit our offices at Surrey Heath House and speak to one of our advisors.

SHBC works in partnership with The Hope Hub, a charity working to prevent and end homelessness in Surrey Heath.

Surrey County Council community helpline

Surrey County Council has launched a community helpline for residents in need of financial, health and welfare support.

They provide advice over the phone and / or direct individuals to appropriate external support.

Telephone: 0300 200 1008 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays)

Surrey Crisis Fund

The Surrey Crisis Fund is a discretionary fund run by Surrey County Council. It provides financial help to Surrey residents who have nowhere else to turn in an emergency or following a disaster. It also can provide assistance to set up a home in the community where no other funds or resources are available. More information on the Surrey Crisis Fund website

Free period products at Surrey Heath libraries

Surrey County Council has launched an initiative with charity Binti to provide free period products in locations across Surrey.

Free period products in Surrey Heath:

Free period products are available in these locations in Surrey Heath. Collection boxes are also available if you are able to donate.

Camberley Library, Knoll Road, Camberley, GU15 3SY
Places Leisure Camberley, Grand Avenue, Camberley, GU15 3QH
Frimley Green Library, Beech Road, Frimley Green, Camberley, GU16 6LQ
Lightwater Library, 83a Guildford Road, Lightwater, GU18 5SB

A Binti app is available to download on the Apple app store for IOS users or the Google Play store for Android users, so people can find the nearest location where free period products are available to collect and where you can donate.
More info on the Period Dignity scheme.

SURREY HEATH BOROUGH COUNCIL