Help for Households
There are services available if you need support with your household costs, including accessing free or low cost food supplies.
Household Support Fund
Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of the UK government, the Household Support Fund scheme supports vulnerable Kent households in need of help with significantly rising living costs.
You can either refer yourself to the scheme or refer someone as a professional.
Applications will close on Thursday 14 September 2023 or when the allocated funds are used up.
Nourish Community Food Bank
Nourish community food bank delivers three days’ emergency food and supplies to people in crisis. Their food parcels provide short-term relief at a difficult time.
They work on a referral-only basis. To be referred please contact your care provider, Tonbridge CAB or Tunbridge Wells CAB.
Cost of Living Payment
Winter Fuel Payment
Southern Water
Southern Water is providing a £98m package of support for customers to combat the cost-of-living crisis, which is disproportionately hitting the most vulnerable households hardest, across Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Anyone who is not on an existing discount tariff but thinks they may be entitled to discounts on their bills can complete an online form on the Southern Water website.
RSPCA support for your pets
Home essentials in a crisis
Council Tax Support
Subsidised Childcare Places
St George's Childcare offer subsidised childcare places for families in need in the local area. They support vulnerable children and parents who need time and space to get back on their feet. We help families who are in crisis due to domestic violence, mental health issues, physical illness and financial hardship.
Places are limited and allocated on a case by case basis, in discussion with families. They accept referrals from care providers, and also self-referrals. To contact St George's, please email the Childcare Managers at childcaremanager@stgeorgeschildcare.co.uk
Connectivity Access Scheme
The Connectivity Access Scheme has been established to supply individuals that meet the criteria with access to connectivity. This is currently with a mobile 4G Router. The beneficiary must be referred by a professional using Digital Kent's online form. Beneficiaries cannot self-refer, to minimise abuse of the scheme.
Cheaper broadband and phone packages
The government has worked with a range of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to deliver low-cost broadband and phone service packages, called social tariffs, for those on low incomes.
Social tariffs are available for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits, with some providers offering deals from £15 a month.
Paddock Wood Community Advice Centre
PWCAC provides a free, confidential, and impartial advice service. They can give advice and support on debt and money, employment, housing and homelessness, mental health support and welfare benefits matters.
Opening hours: Open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 1:30pm and offer face-to-face appointments as well as a drop-in service.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is able to offer emotional, spiritual and practical support for the local community.
They provide referrals to foodbanks and other groups. They are also able to accept referrals from agencies for people in the local community who require practical assistance for items such as furniture, white goods, bedding, clothing etc.
They run a weekly sale (Thursday) with good quality clothes at very low prices 50p-£2.
Finally, they run a lunch club on Wednesday and Thursday at 12:30 for £5 per day.
Hawkhurst Community Fridge
Hawkhurst Community Fridge are a team of volunteers who are Food Safety Level 2 trained and ensure that food is fit for human consumption. All the food is freely available to anyone in the community.
This is a sharing project with the objectives of reducing food waste and CO₂ emissions while including residents and stores to take part in sharing and caring for one another.
Opening hours:
Monday-Sunday 9.30-4.00 outside The Green Shop, Rye Road, Hawkhurst, TN18 4EP
The Paddock Wood Foodbank - The Community Storehouse
The Community Larder
You are invited to come and choose from a selection of fresh fruit and veg, chilled meats, bakery, chocolate, tins and more. You will leave with a bag of groceries for a recommended donation of £2. Please bring your own bags.
Please email for any further information:
communitylarder@twbc.org.uk
Opening hours:
Tuesdays from 1pm—2:30pm
at Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church
Money Advice Hub
The Citizen’s Advice Bureau is supporting people who are struggling financially or need support to manage the rising cost of living through its new Money Advice Hub. The service is completely free and confidential.
You can access the service online (with video call and web-chat functions) or by calling the freephone number on 0800 808 5622 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm).