Funding Cut Forces Free Welfare Benefit Advice Service To Close

Published on: 11 Aug, 2016
Updated on: 15 Aug, 2016

A popular free welfare benefit advice service is being forced to close due to funding being withdrawn by Surrey County Council.

The county-wide service has been offered by Surrey Disabled People’s Partnership (SDPP), working along organisations including Guildford Action, Age UK Surrey, Sight for Surrey, Deaf Positive Action and YMCA East Surrey.

Since 2013, the Get Wise service has helped secure benefits for 13,200 Surrey residents totaling £14.8 million.

It is funding that has helped users of the service stay independent in their communities.

The chief executive of SDPP, Clive Wood, said: “The council’s decision to withdraw funding for this service from September 30 seems to be a result of funding cuts from central government.

“Whatever the reason, this is very disappointing and will leave many vulnerable residents in Surrey without a vital service.”

SDPP, based in Woking, is an organisation of disabled people for disabled people providing advocacy, welfare benefit advice, brokerage, information and home visiting foot care service across Surrey.