Crisis and Resilience Fund - Surrey Crisis Payments

Important notice about other funding schemes

• Funding from Household Support Fund 7 (HSF7), including Free School Meal Holiday Vouchers and Everyday Essential E-vouchers, has now ended. For other support for families, visit Support for families with children.
• For help with heating oil costs, visit our Cost of living web page.

If you are not in immediate crisis, visit Health, wellbeing and financial support.

Surrey Crisis Payments are funded through the UK Government's Crisis and Resilience Fund and are administered by Surrey County Council's Crisis Payments Team.

They provide support for people on low incomes who need help with urgent costs, including food, household essentials, heating and energy bills (including oil), and emergency travel for work, healthcare or personal safety.

If you are moving into unfurnished accommodation, you may also be eligible for support with essential household items, such as a bed, fridge, washing machine or cooker, to help you set up your home. This support is only available when moving into unfurnished accommodation and cannot be used to replace existing household items, white goods or furniture that are broken, damaged or no longer working.

Crisis Payments are intended as short-term support and are not a regular source of income.

Page contents

• Who can apply?
• What you need to provide
• Apply online
• Telephone assessment
• Application outcome and payment
• Need help with your application

Who can apply?

You can apply for a Crisis Payment if you are on a low income, are a resident living in Surrey and are facing a financial crisis as a result of a sudden, unexpected issue with money that you can’t meet through your usual income or savings. Examples include a loss of income or reduced working hours, emergency bills, breakdown of household items or unexpected costs leaving you without food, heating or basic necessities.

Please note that applying for a Crisis Payment does not guarantee you will receive one. We will look at your individual circumstances. If a Crisis Payment is not the right support, we will help you find other services and local organisations that can assist you.

Eligibility

You are eligible if any of the following apply to you:

• Are aged 16 and over and live in Surrey
• Struggling financially
• Placed in temporary accommodation outside of Surrey by the council
• Are homeless but have a clear connection to Surrey
• Cannot afford to keep your home warm or keep your gas or electricity topped up
• Cannot afford essential items: Food, toiletries (including period products), clothing or footwear
• Cannot afford essential household equipment when moving into unfurnished accommodation (for example, a fridge or an oven)

How we assess you and your application

We assess each application based on your individual circumstances, but the following will be considered:

• Existing support and benefits received
• Your current income including any savings or other funds available to you
• Your household situation such as number of children, whether you have a partner or any other dependents
• Number of applications for Crisis Payments per household, to avoid duplication of funding for the same household need
• Whether you have applied previously for Crisis Payments

We will check your information using Department of Work and Pensions and council records.

What you need to provide

• Your National Insurance (GOV.UK)
• Date of birth
• Home address details

We may also ask for the following information:

• Bank statements
• Proof of employment if necessary
• Details of your partner, if they live in your household

Apply online

You will be directed to the existing Surrey Crisis Fund application form while we update our application system.

Do not copy and paste text into the form. If the system does not recognise a field, delete the pasted text and enter it manually.

Please ensure that all information entered is accurate and up to date, as any errors may delay the application process. If you are applying on someone’s behalf, make sure they have given permission and are expecting our call. If you need help with your application, please see below.

Applications are closed and will re-open at 9am on Tuesday 8 September 2026.

Telephone assessment

Once you have submitted your online application, we will call you within five working days to go through your application. You (or your representative) must be available by telephone between the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. This will help us to complete your application and make a decision on any help we can provide.

You will be called from 0300 200 1032, please save this number in your phone as Crisis Payments Team to avoid our calls being ignored.

The team will make three attempts to speak to you. If we are unable to contact you within three working days, your application will be cancelled and you will need to make a new application.

Please note: Our team is here to help. Please treat staff with respect. Abusive behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in your call being ended and your access to the fund being withdrawn.

Application outcome and payment

We will tell you the outcome of your application during your telephone assessment. If your application is successful, you may receive either a payment into your bank account (BACS), or an e-voucher.

We will choose the payment method that best suits your circumstances.

After your assessment, we will email you to confirm the outcome of your application, details of any payment awarded, and information about other support that may be available. If you receive an e-voucher, you will also receive an email from the e-voucher provider.

If you do not provide the bank statements we request, or we cannot contact you after three attempts, your application will be cancelled and you will need to apply again.

Need help with your application

If you need support with your application, there are organisations and services that can help you complete the form and provide advice.