Tandridge Launches Cash Help For Struggling Households

Tandridge District Council has opened a short-term cash support scheme aimed at residents on low incomes in the Surrey district. Applications go live at 10:00 GMT on Monday and will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis until the council’s pot is exhausted. Households without children can apply for a one-off payment of £125, while families with children are eligible for £225. Applicants must be at least 16, live within the Tandridge area and be facing difficulty meeting essential costs. The council has set aside £150,000 to fund the scheme. Unlike a separate county-run programme that issues supermarket e-vouchers, Tandridge will transfer the money directly into recipients’ bank accounts so people can choose how to spend it. That county scheme, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and run by Surrey County Council, offers larger supermarket vouchers — £200 for childless households and £300 for those with children — and also opens on Monday. Previously the county passed funds to local councils to distribute; residents must now apply to the county council themselves. Tandridge officials have stressed that people may apply for both supports because they are managed separately. The cash-versus-voucher choice matters. A bank deposit can be used to cover a range of needs beyond groceries — from laundry costs and toiletries to energy top-ups — giving households more discretion over tight budgets. The council says the payment levels were chosen to help as many residents as possible within its limited funding. Applications will close automatically when the £150,000 is spent, so households who think they may qualify are being urged to apply promptly. The council’s first-come, first-served approach means demand could outstrip supply, particularly as colder months increase pressure on living costs. This move sits alongside wider local and national measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures, such as the county’s monthly e-voucher scheme. For many residents in Tandridge, the dual availability of cash and vouchers means practical options — whether to stretch a household budget or to react quickly to an immediate need. For anyone eligible, the practical takeaway is simple: check the eligibility rules, have your ID and bank details ready and apply early if you need help. --- Managing your business finances? TaxAce provides smart online accountancy services for UK businesses with flexible monthly plans. Image and reporting: https://www.bbc.co.uk | Read original article