Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is working with three local charities to distribute up to £44,000 from the Household Support Fund to people experiencing financial hardship across the borough. The council will work with The Good Company, Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell and The Meeting Room to ensure that funds can be accessed by vulnerable residents including families, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and people with disabilities, before 31 March 2025.

The Household Support Fund was first introduced on 30 September 2021 by Central Government to offer cost of living support over the winter months. This is the sixth time the scheme has been extended.

Councillor Neil Dallen, Chair of the Strategy & Resources Committee, said

“We recognise that the last few years have seen residents face extremely challenging times. Working together with The Good Company, Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell and The Meeting Room ensures that residents can access the financial support they need through trusted partners who already work with, and advise, vulnerable residents across the borough through services including, but not limited to:

• Good Company, who operate the Epsom and Ewell Foodbank. The organisation is contactable on 020 8786 8221.
• Citizen’s Advice Epsom & Ewell. They are contactable on 0808 278 7963, and are based at The Old Town Hall, The Parade in Epsom, with drop-ins on Monday, Tuesdays and Thursday mornings.
• The Meeting Room, who support people who are homeless, vulnerable or socially isolated through drop-ins and activities. They are contactable on 07413 9789422, and based at the Kings Church, Epsom, open Thursdays at 10.30am-1.30pm.

These organisations also have the expertise and administrative experience to ensure that allocations are distributed promptly and efficiently.”

Residents who require financial aid can contact one of the three organisations mentioned above.

Applications for Household Support Funds can also be made through Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell: www.caee.org.uk/household-support-fund:

Find out more about the Household Support Fund, including how to apply for funding in Epsom & Ewell: https://epsom-ewell.gov.uk/residents/cost-living-support/household-support-fund

For advice about cost-of-living support, residents can also visit:

• The Advice Café in Epsom, for advice and support through a wide variety of services, on Friday mornings between 10am-12noon at St. Barnabus' Church, Epsom. Community Hub — St Barnabas (stbarnabas-epsom.org.uk)

• The Cost of Living pages on Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s website to view a range of information and support: Cost of living support | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council