If you are struggling financially and would like help to manage your debts or to understand any benefits or financial support that you may be entitled to, we can help.  Call us on 01276 417900 for an initial telephone appointment and, if necessary, we can arrange face to face appointments across Surrey Heath at the following venues:

• Surrey Heath House, Camberley
• The Children’s Centre, Old Dean
• Frimley Green library
• St Mary’s Church, Camberley
• The Windle Valley Centre, Bagshot
• Chobham Village Hall

In addition we can discuss:

Help with housing costs and bills

Cold Weather Payments for each week in the winter temperatures stay at zero Celsius or below will be paid automatically.

If you or someone else in your household is disabled, you may be able to claim a Disabled Facilities Grant to cover the cost of equipment via surreyheath.gov.uk

You may be able to claim a Discretionary Housing Payment via surreyheath.gov.uk if your Universal Credit payment is not enough to pay your rent.

The Household Support Fund, administered by Citizens Advice Surrey Heath, may be able to provide small grants to help with fuel, food and essential costs.  Call 01276 417900 for an application form or see further details on our website.

WaterSure can cap your bills if you have a water meter and at least 3 children under 19, or a person in the house requires a large amount of water due to a medical condition. Apply via your water company.

Help if you’re pregnant or have a child

You could get a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child. You can claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant from 11 weeks before the birth to 6 months after with a form available from the gov.uk.

If you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 (and your family earnings are less than £408 per month) you can obtain Healthy Start vouchers for food, milk and vitamins – you can download the application form from healthystart.nhs.uk

You may be able to claim 30 hours free childcare for 3 and 4-year-olds so long as you, and your partner if applicable, each expect to earn at least £1,853.28 in the next 3 months. Apply via gov.uk.

Your children may be entitled to free school meals provided your household earnings are less than £7400 a year – contact Surrey County Council on 0300 200 1008.

Help with legal costs

Legal aid may be available to help meet the costs of legal advice, court representation or mediation – your legal adviser will apply.

You can get help with court or tribunal fees and costs of prison visits to a partner or close relative via gov.uk.

Help with other costs

Job Centres can offer payments from a Flexible Support Fund if you need clothes or other items to secure employment, and a Travel Discount Card for half price travel on public transport.

You may be able to get help with health costs, including dental treatment via dentists offering NHS treatment. Prescriptions are free if you earned £435 or less in your last Universal Credit assessment period; or £935 if your Universal Credit includes an element for a child, or you (or your partner) had limited capability for work (LCW) or limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA).

If you need help paying for a funeral you can claim a Funeral Expenses Payment. Claim by phone by calling the Bereavement Service helpline on 0800 731 0469.

You can get help with building up savings through Help to Save. This scheme, available via gov.uk provides a 50% bonus if you save between £1 and £50 a month for at least 2 years.