Category Financial advice and support Show all
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Benefits calculator
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Are you missing out on benefits that you are entitled to? Try out the Council’s benefits calculator which can tell you if you’re potentially entitled to claim extra money. There are more than 80 different welfare benefits available to support people in different circumstances and situations.
Before using the calculator, you’ll need accurate information about your:- savings
- income, including your partner’s (from payslips, for example)
- existing benefits and pensions (including anyone living with you)
- outgoings (such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments)
- Council Tax bill.
By answering a few simple questions, you will quickly find out if you’re eligible for any benefits. Your answers are provided anonymously.
The calculator also provides useful information in relation to your answers e.g. if you say you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, you will be asked who your supplier is. The calculator will then provide you with information relevant to that supplier so that you’re able to consider social tariffs that are available. Social tariffs are designed to help low-income households pay for their energy bills. -
Latest news on the government’s Household Support Fund
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The government’s Household Support Fund is there to support households in the most need, especially with energy costs, food, water bills and other related essential items.
The current round of funding is open until 31 March 2025 and is available to a broad range of low-income households across the borough, including families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people.
Those eligible for support as pensioners and carers will be contacted directly by letter to advise how to claim the support with all letters now issued. If you do not fall into one of these categories and haven’t already received support through the Household Support Fund since October 2024, we are now accepting further applications for remaining funding from our discretionary scheme.
The discretionary scheme is available for a payment of £100 per household but is only open to households which have an active claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction. Please read our website for more information on how to apply and the information you will need.
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/benefits-and-welfare-help/cost-of-living/household-support-fund/energy-and-food-cost-support
Additional support and advice is available for anyone who is struggling to pay their bills, requires debt advice or who’s health has been affected by the rising cost of living.
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/cost-of-living -
Support for new parents
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Child Benefit
Did you know you can claim your Child Benefit online or via the HMRC app? More than one million parents have claimed in this way since the new digital service was launched earlier this year.
Child Benefit is worth £1,331 a year for the first child and £881 a year for each additional child. It can be claimed just 48 hours after registering a baby’s birth and parents typically receive their first payment within three working days. Claims can be backdated by up to 12 weeks, so the sooner families claim, the better. Child Benefit is typically paid every four weeks.
Downloading the free HMRC app makes managing claims even easier too. Families can use the app to track payments and update their details on the go – from changing their address or bank details, to seeing when their next payment is landing.
To make a claim online, visit: Child Benefit: Make a claim - GOV.UK or via the HMRC app, visit: Download the HMRC app - GOV.UK
Healthy Start supports families in need
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. Your benefit will be added onto your card every four weeks.
You can use your card to buy:
- plain liquid cow’s milk
- fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
- fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
- infant formula milk based on cow’s milk
You can also use your card to collect:
- Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old
To find out about applying for Healthy Start, visit: Applying for Healthy Start – Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)
or how you can use Healthy Start, visit Using Healthy Start – Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)
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West Cheshire Credit Union
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Are you looking to get on track with your finances in 2025? With the cost-of-living crisis in full effect, now more than ever it is important to have a little something to fall back on. We encourage savings of £1 a week to help with an unexpected bill that may occur or to start saving little and often.
The Peoples’ Community Bank
Did you know saving with your credit union helps your community? The more money saved with the credit union means that we can help more people who may need to borrow money to get them through difficult times. All money saved with the credit union is protected and you have access to your money at any time.
What is a credit union?
A credit union is a financial co-operative which provides savings, loans and a range of services to its members. A credit union is owned and controlled by the members. Credit unions are not-for-profit organisations, and any surplus generated at the financial year end is put back into the running costs of the credit union or paid as a dividend to its members. As we are not owned by external shareholders the emphasis is always on providing the best service to our members and not maximising profits. The credit union is accessible to those within our common bond. A common bond is the area each credit union serves and their criteria. West Cheshire Credit Union’s common bond is for those who live, work or study within Cheshire West, Cheshire East and Flintshire. If you fall within this, you can apply and become a member.
Credit union myths and facts
There are many ‘myths’ surrounding credit unions, here are some of the examples and correct facts:
• Credit Unions are only accessible for those claiming benefits – this is incorrect, credit unions are for everyone of all walks of life.
• We are regulated and a safe secure way to save and borrow.
• Owned by members, and members are encouraged to give feedback.
• Directors are all volunteers, and do not take any renumeration.
• Savings stay within the local community and is managed to provide accessibility to affordable loans.
We have a range of saving products available these are:
- Saver Account – our standard account
- Junior Savers Account – pays a competitive 5% interest
- Payroll Scheme – saving direct from your salary
If you are interested in saving with us, please get in touch, you can become a member of West Cheshire Credit Union by completing our online form or alternatively you can call into one of our branches and speak to someone face to face.
Head Office – 12-16 Brookdale Place, Chester, CH1 3DY (opposite the bus station).
Ellesmere Port - The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA. (Thursdays only).
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Government’s Household Support Fund extended to 31 March 2025
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Following the government’s announcement to extend the Household Support Fund for the period 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025, the Council has consulted with local organisations about how best to help people in Cheshire West and Chester.
The Council’s plan, which has now been approved, sets out how the money will be spent, as detailed below.- Pensioners on a low income who are claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction but are not receiving Pension Credit and therefore no longer qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment support, will receive £200.
- Families with children who get free school meals will receive food vouchers worth £17.50 per week for each of the four weeks of school holidays.
- Payments of £50 will be made to Carers who provide 35 hours care per week and whose details are held within our Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction records.
- Payments of £100 will be made to Care Leavers under the age of 25 and still resident in our area.
- Financial support will be available to residents via local charitable organisations.
- Low income households can apply for help with energy and food costs.
Whilst the Council’s plan has been approved, the application processes are still being developed and therefore are currently unavailable. Our website will be updated once applications are available.
Household support fund | Cheshire West and Chester Council.Pension Credit
If you’re of pension age on a low income of less than £218.15 per week for a single person, or £332.95 as a couple, you may be eligible to claim additional support through Pension Credit. This will provide you with an additional weekly income as well as access to additional benefits such as a free tv licence, help with NHS costs, cold weather payments and the Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300.
If you feel you may qualify, please make further enquiries regarding this valuable support you could receive. The Pension Service have a helpline
T: 0800 99 1234 and can provide further advice to you.Warm Home Discount scheme
Applications to the Warm Home Discount scheme for permanent residents living in a park home who pay for their electricity directly to the park site owner, is now open. Funding is limited and applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis.For more information, visit:
Park Homes | Warm Home Discount Scheme | Charis (charisgrants.com)
Additional advice and support
If you’re currently struggling, please visit the Council’s website where there is lots of information and support available to help you. -
Are you eligible for Council Tax reduction
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It’s important to know that you can apply if you are working, or unemployed.
You can apply for council tax support if you:
- live at the property
- pay council tax
- have a low income, or are entitled to a benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions or the Pension Service
- have capital of less than £6000, if you are working age; or £16,000 for working age protected group applicants and pension age.
- if you are of Pension Credit age.
Further details on the maximum amount we can pay or how we calculate what you’re entitled to, can be found on our website.
How Council Tax is worked out
Have your say on proposed changes to the Council Tax Reduction SchemeThe consultation relates to the scheme for working age claimants which is set by the Council. Pension age claimants are not affected by the proposed changes as that scheme continues to be set by central government.
To find out more and to take part, visit: Council Tax Reduction Scheme Consultation | Cheshire West and Chester Council
The closing date for responses to the consultation is Thursday, 31 October.
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Latest news on the government’s Household Support Fund
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As you may be aware, the government recently announced that they will be extending the Household Support Fund (HSF) for a further six months – from 1 April to 30 September 2024. Details of how the funding will be allocated will be available on the Council's website in the coming weeks.
The Household Support Fund is there to support people living in low-income households who are struggling to afford their energy and water bills, food, and other essential items. To find out if you’re eligible for support, visit:
Household support fund | Cheshire West and Chester CouncilEaster food vouchers
Out of the remaining budget available from this year’s round of HSF (up to 31 March 2024) food vouchers will be provided for families with children in receipt of free school meals, for the Easter holiday period. Each eligible pupil will receive £10 per week. Schools will issue the vouchers to families in advance of the Easter holiday.
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Help with paying for your childcare
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Currently, all 3 to 4-year-olds in England can get 570 free hours of early education per year. It’s usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year.
This can be increased to 30 hours free childcare if you (and your partner, if you have one) are: in work, on sick leave or annual leave or on shared parental, maternity, paternity, or adoption leave.
There is also 15 hours of free early education available for the most disadvantaged 2-year-olds to support the child’s development.
In March 2023, the Government announced it would be extending childcare support to include 30 hours a week of free childcare for eligible working parents of children aged nine months to three years in England. This is to support parents returning to work by reducing the cost of childcare. Parents working the equivalent of 16 hours a week or more (earning the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage) and earning up to £100k per year will be able to benefit from this offer.
Families can now check their eligibility and sign up to receive a newsletter and updates through the Childcare Choices website.
The roll out of the expansion is happening in the following phases
- From April 2024, working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare a week (38 weeks a year).
- From September 2024, working parents of 9 month to 3-year-olds will also be eligible for this.
- From September 2025, this will increase to 30 hours a week for working parents of 9 month to 3-year-olds.
Eligible families will be able to access the new entitlements from the term after their child turns the appropriate age. You will need to apply for an eligibility code via HMRC and share this with your chosen childcare provider, to access your funded hours. You will also need to revalidate your code every 3 months.
Eligible working families with 2-year-olds can apply for their code from now until 31 March 2024 to access the new 2-year-old entitlement from April 2024.The new entitlements can be stretched over the year depending on the number of weeks your chosen childcare provider is open. This would mean fewer hours per week are accessed over more weeks of the year, so the same total number of hours are accessed over the course of the year.
Whilst the childcare hours are free, providers can charge for meals, snacks, consumables, and additional services. Families are advised to contact their childcare provider to ask about their funded offer.
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Breathing Space – a government initiative to help people take control of their finances
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Being in debt can be a frightening situation for many people particularly if you are being pursued by creditors and penalties are mounting.
Breathing Space, also known as the Debt Respite Scheme, allows you to take time out, seek financial advice and take control of your finances.
There are two types of Breathing Space:- Standard Breathing Space - a period of 60 days where no creditor action can be taken to pursue or enforce qualifying debts, and all interest and penalties will cease to accrue on those debts.
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Mental Health Breathing Space - entitles the person to the same as stated above but with no strict time limits until after the person has recovered from their mental health crisis. To qualify for Mental Health Breathing Space, the individual must have been assessed by an approved mental health practitioner as being in a mental health crisis.
Those seeking to enter the scheme must meet specific criteria and comply with scheme rules whilst in it. To enter, an individual will have to:
- access free debt advice from a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) accredited debt adviser
- be assessed as being in problem debt by a debt adviser
- not have already been in a Standard Breathing Space period in the previous 12 months (those in mental health crisis will be exempt from the 12-month restriction).
The debt adviser is responsible for determining the debtor’s eligibility to enter the scheme. They will also notify creditors of individuals entering and exiting the scheme.
If you feel that the weight of your debt is becoming too much to bear it’s important to seek free debt advice from a FCA accredited debt adviser as soon as possible.
Free debt advice is available from:
Citizens Advice- Call the debt helpline: Tel: 0800 240 4420 available 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 1pm Saturday. The debt helpline is not available on public holidays.
Calls are free from mobiles and landlines.
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Talk to a trained debt adviser online using chat between 9am and 8pm Monday to Friday and between 9.30am and 1pm Saturday.
Relay UK - if you can't hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 0800 240 4420 You can use Relay UK with an app or a textphone. There’s no extra charge to use it.
Find out how to use Relay UKPennysmart – if you’re facing a financial crisis, Pennysmart can support you with budgeting, benefits and debt advice. Tel: 01244 651210