Thousands of households in Surrey facing financial strain due to disability or long-term illness can now apply for a new £300 support payment. The initiative, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Household Support Fund, opens for applications from Monday, 12th January 2026.
Who is Eligible for the £300 Support?
The scheme is specifically designed to assist residents who are not necessarily on standard DWP benefits but are struggling due to health-related costs. You can apply if you are a disabled adult or live with a long-term health condition. Furthermore, parents or carers of a child who is disabled or lives with a long-term condition are also eligible to apply.
A key requirement is that applicants must be resident in Surrey and facing serious financial difficulty. Council leaders have emphasised that this is not an emergency fund and is intended for those whose disability or condition directly impacts their living expenses.
How and When to Apply
Applications open weekly every Monday at 9:30am. The process is conducted via an online form where applicants must provide detailed information. Simply stating "food costs" or "energy bills" is insufficient for approval.
You will need to explain how your disability or health condition affects your living costs and justify the need for the £300 sum. The payment is awarded per household, not per person.
Important Details on Payments and Processing
Successful applicants will not receive cash directly into their bank accounts. Instead, support is provided via supermarket vouchers sent by email or post, or through direct payments to energy suppliers.
After submitting your form, you should receive an automatic confirmation email. If you do not get this email, your application may not have been submitted successfully. Crucially, you will not receive a separate approval message; the voucher or payment will be the first indication of success.
The council has warned that processing can be slow. It may take up to eight weeks to process an application and arrange payment. For those requesting help with energy bills, payments will be made directly to the supplier, and residents are advised to monitor their accounts and wait the full eight weeks before making enquiries.
This Surrey-specific fund represents a vital lifeline for many, acknowledging the unique financial pressures faced by those managing disabilities and long-term health conditions outside the mainstream benefits system.
