UK Bill Help

In a crisis, the County Council can provide help from the Surrey Local Assistance Scheme, or LAS. The welfare scheme can provide a number of free goods to individuals on a low income, including food, funds to help pay for travel costs, and maybe even a onetime grant for utility bill payments on a pre-paid card for those expenses.

The scheme is run by the council, and it is available for anyone from any town or city in the area. There is help for both people facing an emergency, such as homelessness, or a disaster, including fires. Applicants need to meet criteria in place from the county council, such as being on a low income or have no other access to funds or money from a local charity or the Surrey Reuse Network.

Emergency financial help from Surrey LAS

Funds are limited and therefore payments for a deposit or other emergency bills will not be considered by the Local Assistance Scheme. A priority is on food and utility top up, however there may be grants that will be considered for other essential needs such as to set up home in the community (furnishings).

If approved by the Council, assistance is combined with advice from the CAB. For those found eligible, most of the support from the scheme will be paid out using pre-payment cards for goods or services, and those can be used for clothing, food, or fuel top up. Cash is never paid out. The Local Assistance Scheme can provide household goods and these are provided by a contracted supplier.

In order to get help, the applicant needs to be over the age of 16 and have al local connection, or be moving to the county. People can also not have access to other funds and of course be on a low income. Since the scheme is limited, the council will focus on individuals faced with health and safety concerns, such as hunger or being cold in the winter. There is also grants for those residents with an illness or women or children leaving a domestic abuse situation.

Other priority of the council in Surrey is for low income families under exceptional pressure as well as single parents or older people. There are no awards for rent deposit. The disabled and those with a serious illness can also get help with their living expenses, or travel.

This scheme can also help people waiting on their first benefit or Universal Credit payment, however applicants should seek a benefit or Universal Credit advance in the first instance. There may be emergency funds by Surrey County Council to help pay bills during that waiting period.

Loans are offered in Surrey as well. They are known as budgeting advances. The funds from the government as well as council can be used while the claimant is waiting on Universal Credit.  The funds can be used to pay bills, housing, buy groceries, or address other household living expenses. The loans are a great way to fill the gap while waiting on Local Assistance Scheme or other benefits such as Universal Credit. Continue reading more on budgeting advance loans.

Applications are done online or with the Citizens Advice Bureaux in the region, and the main offices are below. Be prepared with proof of address as well as income.

The application process Citizens Advice Bureau is an interview and an assessment. While applications will be considered as soon as possible, any funds from Surrey Local Assistance Scheme are at the discretion of the council. They may instead refer people to advice centres for support such as counselling services or help on any debt arrears they have, and this can be done before they can apply for financial aid.

Locations to apply for Surrey County Local Assistance Scheme

There are several places to apply at for welfare grants. Families or individuals can apply to a CAB centre near them. Or online.

• Ash are is served by Ash Hill Road, GU12 5DP. Call this CAB at 01252 315569.
• The Horseshoe, Banstead, SM7 2BQ, phone 08444 111444.
• Citizens Advice Bureau for Camberley is at Rear of Library, Knoll Road GU15 3SY, call 01276 684342.
• Dorking residents can stop by CAB at Lyons Court, Dorking RH4 1AB, telephone 08444 111 444.
• Harry Fletcher House, High Street, Esher, KT10 9RN. Call 08444 111444 for information on the scheme.
• Farnham, Montrose House, South Street, Farnham, GU9 7RN, call 0844 848 7969.
• Godalming CAB office is at New Montrose House, 36 Bridge Street, Godalming GU7 1HP, dial 0844 848 7969.
• 15-21 Haydon Place, Guildford GU1 4LL, main telephone 01483 576 699.
• Haslemere area – Well Lane House, Well Lane, High Street, Haslemere, GU27 2LB, main telephone 0844 848 7969.
• The Georgian House, Swan Mews, Leatherhead, KT22 8AE. Drop in, or call 08444 111 444 for intake.
• Redhill CAB, 24 Cromwell Roas, Redhill RH1 1RT, main telephone 08444 111444.
• Addlestone Bureau CAB office, and information on the scheme, is at The Old Library, Church Road, Addlestone KT15 1RW.