Surrey County Council announces fund for struggling households

A funding pot totalling over £9.3m has been introduced to help Surrey households with value of residing pressures.Surrey County Council has allotted the seventh spherical of the Family Assist Fund (HSF), which can make £9,324,930.29 out there to residents dealing with monetary hardship.The fund, to cowl till 31 March 2026 has been divided between a number of classes to supply help with meals, gasoline, water, and different important wants.This newest spherical represents a 12% discount from earlier allocations which the council says is designed to optimise spending.Mark Nuti, cupboard member for well being, wellbeing and public well being, stated: “This newest spherical of Family Assist Funding is a crucial useful resource to assist these most in want entry necessities like meals, vitality, and emergency help. “Regardless of a discount in funding, we’re dedicated to making sure that each pound is used successfully to help our residents.”Almost half of the fund, £4.1m, has been allotted to meals vouchers throughout faculty holidays whereas an additional £1.7m is earmarked to help meals banks and organisations offering related companies.A complete of £750,000  has been awarded to the Surrey Disaster Fund for emergency monetary help, with an additional £548,000  allotted to poverty prevention initiatives.Whereas the fund will likely be distributed by way of a community of native organisations, the council can also be growing a brand new scheme which can make further HSF funds out there to residents. This scheme will launched later this 12 months, with functions to open in the end.