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Families who receive Free School Meals and need help with essential food costs during the summer holidays can apply for support through the Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).
Applications for summer holiday payments will open on Tuesday, 30 June 2026 and close on Monday, 31 August 2026.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund replaced the Household Support Fund in April 2026. It ensures that financial support is available for families who need it and gives longer term support to boost income and manage debt.
Families who receive Free School Meals and need help with essential food costs during the summer holidays can apply for support through the Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).
Applications for summer holiday payments will open on Tuesday, 30 June 2026 and close on Monday, 31 August 2026.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund replaced the Household Support Fund in April 2026. It ensures that financial support is available for families who need it and gives longer term support to boost income and manage debt.
To support families during the transition to the Crisis and Resilience Fund, so far payments have been awarded to all applicants who were in receipt of FSM and provided requested evidence. The same approach will apply during the summer holidays.
From September 2026, however, the Crisis and Resilience Fund will solely be there to help people who experience an unexpected financial crisis. Applicants will need to explain the financial shock they have experienced and how this has placed them in crisis.
Expanded Free School Meal eligibility from September 2026
From September 2026, all pupils in households receiving Universal Credit will become entitled to free school meals.
Pupils who already qualify because their household earnings are £7,400 or less will continue to qualify. The change will extend entitlement to more families, meaning more children will be able to apply to receive Free School Meals.
If you aren’t in receipt of Free School Meals, the Crisis and Resilience Fund can still help you with various costs. Visit the webpage for more information about support with:
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From September 2026, families who receive Universal Credit will qualify for free school meals (FSM). Although they will be automatically eligible, families will still need to apply to receive the FSM.
To apply for free school meals, go to the Council’s website. You will need your National Insurance number:
From September 2026, families who receive Universal Credit will qualify for free school meals (FSM). Although they will be automatically eligible, families will still need to apply to receive the FSM.
To apply for free school meals, go to the Council’s website. You will need your National Insurance number:
From September 2026, there will be three types of FSM:
Free school meals (Universal Credit): most families receiving Universal Credit – application required
Targeted free school meals: Pupil Premium for families with lower earned incomes (under £7,400) – application required
Universal infant free school meals: available to all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 – no application required.
Changes to current protections
Some children currently receive free school meals under temporary ‘transitional protection,’ even if they are not eligible under the new criteria. This is due to end at the end of the 2025/26 school year. If you think these changes might affect you, we encourage you to check your eligibility as soon as possible.
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To ease financial pressure at a very difficult time, the Council has introduced a local exemption so that people living with a terminal illness in Cheshire West and Chester no longer have to pay Council Tax.
Households can receive a Council Tax exemption for up to 12 months if someone living there has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. To apply, you’ll need to provide an SR1 form from a healthcare professional confirming a life expectancy of less than 12 months. The exemption will begin once the Council receives the form and will continue for two months after the person’sContinue reading
To ease financial pressure at a very difficult time, the Council has introduced a local exemption so that people living with a terminal illness in Cheshire West and Chester no longer have to pay Council Tax.
Households can receive a Council Tax exemption for up to 12 months if someone living there has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. To apply, you’ll need to provide an SR1 form from a healthcare professional confirming a life expectancy of less than 12 months. The exemption will begin once the Council receives the form and will continue for two months after the person’s death.
The Council will also make sure that residents who receive the exemption are connected to other support that’s available, including national benefits and local schemes such as the Crisis and Resilience Fund, the HELP scheme and Housing Payments:
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You can apply for the new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) from 1 April 2026 if you need financial support. It replaces the Household Support Fund (HSF), ensuring that support is still available.
The new fund will help residents who suddenly find themselves in a financial crisis, and it will also give longer‑term support to boost income and manage debt so that people feel more confident and secure when unexpected money problems arise.
More information, and how to apply, can be found on the Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund webpage. There is lots of information available, so please ensure youContinue reading
You can apply for the new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) from 1 April 2026 if you need financial support. It replaces the Household Support Fund (HSF), ensuring that support is still available.
The new fund will help residents who suddenly find themselves in a financial crisis, and it will also give longer‑term support to boost income and manage debt so that people feel more confident and secure when unexpected money problems arise.
More information, and how to apply, can be found on the Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund webpage. There is lots of information available, so please ensure you read it all before applying:
Families receiving Free School Meals, who previously got automatic payments during the school holidays (as part of the Household Support Fund), will now need to apply to the Crisis and Resilience fund if they need help during a financial crisis.
While the Council will process applications as quickly as possible, we cannot guarantee that payments will be made before the Easter period, particularly if there is a high volume of requests.
Other support available
If residents need support now, they can visit the Council’s cost of living support webpages, which bring together information about financial help, advice services, and emergency assistance: Cost of living | Cheshire West and Chester Council
And on Live Well Cheshire West where residents can search for a range of services including food provision, activities, and more: Home | Live Well Cheshire West
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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are funding a new programme called Connect to Work to support individuals with a health barrier or particular disadvantage - such as homelessness or ex-offences - to get back into employment. It is part of the Get Britain Working initiative.
Long-term sickness is the most common cause of people being out of work in the UK, putting individuals who suffer from a health condition or other disadvantage at greater risk of financial hardship.
If you are eligible for support from the Connect to Work programme, you will receive intensive employment support for upContinue reading
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are funding a new programme called Connect to Work to support individuals with a health barrier or particular disadvantage - such as homelessness or ex-offences - to get back into employment. It is part of the Get Britain Working initiative.
Long-term sickness is the most common cause of people being out of work in the UK, putting individuals who suffer from a health condition or other disadvantage at greater risk of financial hardship.
If you are eligible for support from the Connect to Work programme, you will receive intensive employment support for up to 12 months. Participants will work with an advisor who will identify suitable jobs, support applications and stay alongside you to smooth the transition into work. The advisor will also help access support such as managing health conditions and benefits advice.
The programme also offers support for up to 4 months for people in-work who are at risk of losing their job.
The Connect to Work Programme is being jointly delivered by Cheshire West, Cheshire East and Warrington Local Authorities. In Cheshire West, there are a team of nearly 30 Employment Support Officers working with participants to overcome barriers to securing sustainable employment.
If you are interested in the Connect to Work programme, you can read more about it and view the Expression of Interest form, including the eligibility criteria, on our webpage:
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If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 years old, you could get help to buy milk, fruit and vegetables from the NHS Healthy Start scheme.
The scheme aims to help pregnant women and families to cope with the rising cost of living and promotes healthy development and growth.
From April 2026, the payment rates will increase:
From £4.25 to £4.65 each week of your pregnancy from the 10th week
From £8.50 to £9.30 each week for children from birth to 1 year old
From £4.25 to £4.65 each week for children between 1 andContinue reading
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 years old, you could get help to buy milk, fruit and vegetables from the NHS Healthy Start scheme.
The scheme aims to help pregnant women and families to cope with the rising cost of living and promotes healthy development and growth.
From April 2026, the payment rates will increase:
From £4.25 to £4.65 each week of your pregnancy from the 10th week
From £8.50 to £9.30 each week for children from birth to 1 year old
From £4.25 to £4.65 each week for children between 1 and 4 years old
You do not need to do anything – the increase will be automatic.
For more information about the NHS Healthy Start scheme, please visit the NHS website:
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Changes to uniform guidance for schools from September 2026 will help to make uniforms more affordable for parents and carers.
The updates to the UK Children and Wellbeing Schools Bill aim to cut over £70 million from the cost of uniforms for families across the UK. Some of the changes which will help to make uniforms cheaper for families from September 2026 include:
Limiting the number of compulsory branded items in uniforms and PE kits
Schools updating their uniform policies so that they can be easily found and understood on their websites.
Changes to uniform guidance for schools from September 2026 will help to make uniforms more affordable for parents and carers.
The updates to the UK Children and Wellbeing Schools Bill aim to cut over £70 million from the cost of uniforms for families across the UK. Some of the changes which will help to make uniforms cheaper for families from September 2026 include:
Limiting the number of compulsory branded items in uniforms and PE kits
Schools updating their uniform policies so that they can be easily found and understood on their websites.
To read the updated statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms, please visit the Government website:
Everyone in full time education should have equal opportunity and access to the things they need to fully participate in school life. Please contact your school directly to see if they can provide any help for families, such as a uniform exchange scheme.
The Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund is available for any families who need help with a sudden or unexpected financial crisis. You can apply for the Crisis and Resilience Fund from 1 April 2026:
If you’ve just got your school place, you might be starting to think about school uniforms. There are several local charities who can help with pre-loved school uniforms:
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From April 2026, families with more than two children who receive Universal Credit and Tax Credits will be able to claim an additional amount for their third – and subsequent - children.
This change will come into effect in April 2026. Families should expect this additional payment for their third (and further) children in the first Universal Credit payment after this date.
For more information, please visit the government website:
From April 2026, families with more than two children who receive Universal Credit and Tax Credits will be able to claim an additional amount for their third – and subsequent - children.
This change will come into effect in April 2026. Families should expect this additional payment for their third (and further) children in the first Universal Credit payment after this date.
For more information, please visit the government website:
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If you’re looking for help to get online, whether that’s to set up emails, use online services, or learn how to video call, Digital Cheshire can help.
Digital Cheshire are running free drop-ins to help people develop their digital skills, even if you’re starting with the basics. Turn up to one of the sessions below and a friendly advisor will talk you through whatever you need to know to get you online.
Tuesday 24 February 2026, 10am-12pm in Helsby Bee Friends, Cable Drive, Helsby, Frodsham, WA6 0FP
Monday 23 March 2026, 11am-1pm in Elton Memory Café & Friendship Circle, ChurchContinue reading
If you’re looking for help to get online, whether that’s to set up emails, use online services, or learn how to video call, Digital Cheshire can help.
Digital Cheshire are running free drop-ins to help people develop their digital skills, even if you’re starting with the basics. Turn up to one of the sessions below and a friendly advisor will talk you through whatever you need to know to get you online.
Tuesday 24 February 2026, 10am-12pm in Helsby Bee Friends, Cable Drive, Helsby, Frodsham, WA6 0FP
Monday 23 March 2026, 11am-1pm in Elton Memory Café & Friendship Circle, Church Hall, Ince Lane, Elton, Chester, CH2 4QB
You don’t need to book, and you can either bring your own device or use one of the laptops available at the sessions.
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This winter, Cheshire West and Chester Council is encouraging residents to make the most of the borough’s network of Welcoming Spaces. These friendly community venues offer warmth, companionship, and practical support for everyone during the colder months.
Welcoming Spaces can be found in libraries, community centres, churches, and other local venues across Cheshire West. Each one provides a comfortable environment where residents can drop in for a cuppa, take part in activities, and even make new friends.
This winter, Cheshire West and Chester Council is encouraging residents to make the most of the borough’s network of Welcoming Spaces. These friendly community venues offer warmth, companionship, and practical support for everyone during the colder months.
Welcoming Spaces can be found in libraries, community centres, churches, and other local venues across Cheshire West. Each one provides a comfortable environment where residents can drop in for a cuppa, take part in activities, and even make new friends.
Since the initiative first launched, thousands of visits have been recorded, highlighting the essential role these spaces play in keeping communities connected.
Welcoming Spaces are open to everyone, and no appointment is needed. Whether you’re looking for company, support, or simply a warm place to spend time, there’s a space nearby ready to welcome you.
If you’re looking for help to get online, whether that’s to set up emails, use online services, or learn how to video call, Digital Cheshire can help.
This winter, Cheshire West and Chester Council is encouraging residents to make the most of the borough’s network of Welcoming Spaces. These friendly community venues offer warmth, companionship, and practical support for everyone during the colder months.