Financial support and advice
If you need help paying your council tax, you can apply for Council Tax Reduction.
If you are entitled to a Council Tax Reduction, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit and are struggling with council tax or rent, you can apply for a Hardship Fund payment for council tax or a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) for rent.
The Council’s crisis loans and grants scheme can help to cover unexpected expenses in a crisis or emergency.
Find out how to get help with your rent, apply for free school meals or get more information about benefits.
Citizens Advice Sutton (CAS) provides free, confidential, independent, impartial information and advice on issues such as welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment and other issues related to residents’ rights and responsibilities.
The St Helier One Stop Shop at Hill House provides advice to all Sutton residents and takes place on the first Thursday of each month, from 10am to 12pm.
Support with food
We regularly provide free holiday activities and lunches/meal kits for children on free school meals over the school holidays.
The Sutton Foodbank provides emergency food parcels to those struggling to put food on the table. To access the Sutton Foodbank you need a Foodbank voucher. The vouchers can be obtained from organisations and teams including:
- Citizens Advice: 020 8405 3552
- Sutton Carers Centre: 020 8296 5611
- Encompass: 020 8770 5000
- Sutton Housing Partnership: 020 8915 2000
- Inspire: 020 8773 9393
- Welfare Reform Team: 020 8770 5000
- Sutton Uplift: 0800 032 1411 (Freephone) or 020 3513 4044
- Sutton Salvation Army: 020 8642 9862
- Your Housing Support Officer, Health Visitor or local Children’s Centre.
The Sutton Foodshop helps families and individuals struggling on low income and finding it difficult to make ends meet. There is a small membership fee of £3 a week. In return, you can choose from approximately 12 items of non-perishable, and chilled and frozen food.
SHP residents can access the St Helier Community Food Shop. Members of the food shop will receive 12-15 items of both fresh and non-perishable goods (worth approximately £15) for the cost of just £3 per week. As part of the membership offer, members also agree to receive advice and support on education, training, employment and health and wellbeing. Membership runs for six months and can be cancelled at any time.