Tandridge District Council is opening applications for household grants of up to £250 to help residents manage the rising cost of living. According to BBC News, the scheme is worth £150,000 in total and will process applications on a first come, first served basis. Successful applicants will receive a one-off payment, with the earliest payments expected at the end of November.
This is the second time Tandridge District Council has run the scheme, which previously operated in January 2026. The council has confirmed that the £150,000 scheme is funded entirely from its own resources.
Who can apply for the grant?
To qualify, applicants must be residents of the Tandridge district, aged over 16, and be experiencing financial hardship as defined by the council. Applicants need to demonstrate they are struggling to pay for essential items for themselves or their dependants by submitting complete bank statements covering August, September and October. Additional evidence such as arrears letters and energy bills can also be uploaded to support applications.
Importantly, households can receive these grants even if they are already receiving support from other sources, such as funds from Surrey County Council. The council has stated that it aims to direct support to those with the greatest need. However, only one application is allowed per household, and applications with missing or obscured information will be rejected.
How much will households receive?
The amount awarded depends on household composition. Households without children can apply for £150, while those with children under 18 can apply for £250. This represents an increase from the January 2026 scheme, which offered £125 to households without children and £225 to those with children. Unlike Surrey County Council's separate support scheme, which provides supermarket vouchers, Tandridge's grants are paid directly into bank accounts.
How do I apply?
Applications open at 10:00 GMT on 9 November and can be submitted online or by telephone. Residents applying by phone will need to bring their bank statements to the council's offices in Oxted. The deadline for applications is 31 December 2026 at the latest.
Once approved, successful applicants will receive an email with their payment date, with payments continuing weekly after the first round.
How does this fit into wider support?
Tandridge's scheme is one of several cost of living support initiatives across Surrey. Other local authorities in the county operate their own programmes to help residents facing financial hardship. The council's decision to repeat the winter support scheme reflects ongoing concerns about household finances and the cost of essential items.
