Category Financial support   Show all

  • Financial support available from the Crisis and Resilience Fund

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    Mum, dad and child shopping for a new fridge

    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

    Mum, dad and child shopping for a new fridge

    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:

    Crisis and Resilience Fund | Cheshire West and Chester Council


    Families receiving Free School Meals

    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.

    For more information about Free School Meals, visit: Free school meals | Cheshire West and Chester Council

    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

  • New payment rates for Healthy Start

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    Two children holding up fruit in front of their faces

    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

    Two children holding up fruit in front of their faces

    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:

    NHS Healthy Start scheme rules – Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)

    You can apply for Healthy Start here:

    Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start) - NHSBSA

  • Removal of the two-child limit on Universal Credit

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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:

    Removing the two-child limit on Universal Credit: Impact on low income poverty levels in the United Kingdom - GOV.UK

    You can also read more on MoneyHelper:

    The two-child benefit limit

    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:

    Removing the two-child limit on Universal Credit: Impact on low income poverty levels in the United Kingdom - GOV.UK

    You can also read more on MoneyHelper:

    The two-child benefit limit has ended | MoneyHelper

  • What support is available after the Household Support Fund?

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    A new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is being launched from 1st April 2026 to replace the Household Support Fund (HSF).

    The CRF will last for 3 years and is available to support low-income households who encounter a ‘financial shock,’ which can be described as ‘a sudden, unexpected expense or drop in income.’ The new fund will also support residents with longer term financial resilience and preventative support to communities.

    More information about the CRF and how to apply will be shared in the coming weeks. In the meantime, there is other support available including the Council’s Benefits Calculator and

    A new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is being launched from 1st April 2026 to replace the Household Support Fund (HSF).

    The CRF will last for 3 years and is available to support low-income households who encounter a ‘financial shock,’ which can be described as ‘a sudden, unexpected expense or drop in income.’ The new fund will also support residents with longer term financial resilience and preventative support to communities.

    More information about the CRF and how to apply will be shared in the coming weeks. In the meantime, there is other support available including the Council’s Benefits Calculator and Help in Emergencies for Local People (HELP) scheme:


    Benefits Calculator

    The Council’s online benefits calculator tool is available to all residents. You can use calculator to check whether you are receiving all of the benefits you’re entitled to and if you’re entitled to claim any additional support to improve your income.

    The calculator can also reduce your household expenses by recommending if you are eligible for cheaper social tariffs on your household bills.

    Follow this link to use the Benefits Calculator: Benefits Calculator.


    HELP scheme

    The Council also offers discretionary support for vulnerable residents facing crisis or emergency situations through our HELP scheme. This scheme can help with foodbank vouchers, emergency energy credit or refurbished furniture / white goods.

    For urgent crisis support, please contact the team on 0808 175 3599 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

    For more information or to apply for support with household goods, please visit Help in Emergencies for Local People (HELP) | Cheshire West and Chester Council.

  • Household Support Fund update

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    The government’s Household Support Fund is there to support households most in need, especially with energy costs, food, water bills and other related essential items with two schemes currently open.

    Pensioner scheme – deadline for registering 17 October 2025

    We wrote to all eligible customers during June and July to invite a claim to receive a payment of £50. Not all eligible pensioners have registered their bank details with us to enable this payment to be issued so we have written again as a reminder of this scheme and invite a claim by the deadline of 17 October 2025.

    If

    The government’s Household Support Fund is there to support households most in need, especially with energy costs, food, water bills and other related essential items with two schemes currently open.

    Pensioner scheme – deadline for registering 17 October 2025

    We wrote to all eligible customers during June and July to invite a claim to receive a payment of £50. Not all eligible pensioners have registered their bank details with us to enable this payment to be issued so we have written again as a reminder of this scheme and invite a claim by the deadline of 17 October 2025.

    If you were invited to claim but have not yet done so, we would encourage you to register your bank details with us to receive the support and you will also automatically be considered for future similar schemes.

    More information can be found at:

    https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/benefits-and-welfare-help/cost-of-living/household-support-fund/pensioner-low-income-households

    Discretionary scheme

    Our new discretionary scheme which gives £150 to low-income households is now open for applications for those in need of support.

    This discretionary scheme is only open to households which have an active claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction. As this is a new scheme, residents who already received support between May to September 2025, are now eligible to claim again.

    More information including how to apply can be found at :

    https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/benefits-and-welfare-help/cost-of-living/household-support-fund/energy-and-food-cost-support


    Winter pensioner scheme – due to open 10 November 2025

    In November, we will be opening our winter pensioner scheme. If you are eligible and have provided your bank details during the winter pensioner scheme last year, or during the summer pensioner scheme mentioned above, you’ll automatically be considered for this winter scheme too, with no need to apply again.

    For all other eligible low-income pensioners who are receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, we will contact you direct to advise how to claim this additional support.

    More information can be found at:

    https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/benefits-and-welfare-help/cost-of-living/household-support-fund/pensioner-low-income-households

    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

  • Major expansion in funded childcare for working families

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    Eligible working parents in Cheshire West and Chester could receive up to 30 hours of funded childcare each week during term time for children aged 9 months to school age. This change is part of the government's expanded Childcare Choices programme and is designed to help families with the cost of living, support working parents, and give children the best start in life.

    This is a fantastic opportunity for local families to access funded childcare from as early as nine months old. The cost of living can be challenging, and this support can make a real difference to parents balancing

    Eligible working parents in Cheshire West and Chester could receive up to 30 hours of funded childcare each week during term time for children aged 9 months to school age. This change is part of the government's expanded Childcare Choices programme and is designed to help families with the cost of living, support working parents, and give children the best start in life.

    This is a fantastic opportunity for local families to access funded childcare from as early as nine months old. The cost of living can be challenging, and this support can make a real difference to parents balancing work and family life. From the end of parental leave to the start of primary school, an average working parent could save up to £7,500 per year – money that stays in your pocket for your family's needs.

    Share this information with friends, family members, neighbours, and community groups. Many families still don’t realise they’re eligible, especially those with younger children or returning to work.

    For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for funded childcare, visit:

    The Best Start in Life parent hub

  • Household Support Fund update

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    The government’s Household Support Fund is there to support households most in need, especially with energy costs, food, water bills and other related essential items. The current round provides funding until 31 March 2026.

    Cheshire West and Chester plan to spend the money in the following ways:

    • food vouchers for families with children who get free school meals
    • payments to Pensioners who receive Pension Credit
    • payments to Pensioners on a low income who are not receiving Pension Credit and therefore no longer qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment support
    • making financial support available to people via local charitable organisations

    The government’s Household Support Fund is there to support households most in need, especially with energy costs, food, water bills and other related essential items. The current round provides funding until 31 March 2026.

    Cheshire West and Chester plan to spend the money in the following ways:

    • food vouchers for families with children who get free school meals
    • payments to Pensioners who receive Pension Credit
    • payments to Pensioners on a low income who are not receiving Pension Credit and therefore no longer qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment support
    • making financial support available to people via local charitable organisations
    • helping low-income households with energy and food costs
    • income maximisation software to support residents to claim all of their eligible entitlements.


    The round of discretionary funding for 2025/26 is now open for applications 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. The discretionary scheme is only open to households which have an active claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.

    More information including how to apply can be found using the link below.
    https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/household-support-fund


    As of early July, we have now contacted all eligible Pension Credit customers directly to advise how to claim this payment.

    The Council had previously intended to issue payments to pensioners on a low income who are not receiving Pension Credit to replace lost Winter Fuel Payment support. However, following amendments to the Winter Fuel Payment by central government, this support is no longer required.

    Therefore, in the autumn, we will be directly contacting all eligible low-income pensioners who are receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, to advise how to claim additional support. More details will be provided in future newsletters. Please note that pensioners who have previously claimed Household Support Fund payment since December 2024, where possible the Council will reuse previous payment details provided so an application may not be required.

    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

  • Warm Homes Grant

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    Warm Homes Grant funding is expected to be available until 31 March 2028 in west Cheshire for home insulation and renewables such as heat pumps and solar panels. The grant has been made possible by funding from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.

    Grants are available for homes which have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that is Band D, E, F or G. You can check on the Energy Performance Certificate Register(External link) for your address. If your property doesn't have a certificate, we can help you to arrange one if you qualify for this scheme.

    The

    Warm Homes Grant funding is expected to be available until 31 March 2028 in west Cheshire for home insulation and renewables such as heat pumps and solar panels. The grant has been made possible by funding from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.

    Grants are available for homes which have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that is Band D, E, F or G. You can check on the Energy Performance Certificate Register(External link) for your address. If your property doesn't have a certificate, we can help you to arrange one if you qualify for this scheme.

    The amount of grant you can apply for varies depending on your property and the type of work that is needed. Homeowners are typically not expected to pay anything towards the scheme unless building repairs are needed before the insulation or renewables can be installed. In private rented properties, the landlord is expected to make a minimum 50 per cent contribution to the scheme after the first property.


    Typical improvements to your home that may be carried out using the grant, include:

    • solid wall insulation (internal or external)
    • cavity wall insulation
    • loft, room-in-roof and flat roof insulation
    • under-floor insulation
    • heat pump
    • solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for electricity generation
    • high heat retention electric storage heaters, where a heat pump isn't suitable
    • heating controls.

    The target is for the energy efficiency measures to improve your EPC rating by at least two bands - for example, if your home is Band E, it should reach Band C or above with the planned improvements.

    To qualify, you must be a homeowner who is living in the property as their main residence, or a private tenant, and meet the income criteria listed below.

    • You receive an income related benefit (for example, Universal Credit, Pension Credit Guarantee, Council Tax Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Tax Credits), or
    • Your total household income before tax, National Insurance and other deductions is no more than £36,000, or
    • Your total household income before tax, National Insurance and other deductions is no more than £20,000 after your housing costs have been deducted (by housing costs, we mean mortgage payments, rent payments and Council Tax).

    When we calculate your household income, we will ignore any disability benefits (such as Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance) so this will not count towards your household income. If you think you may be eligible please contact: homeenergy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk(External link)

    A member of the Council’s Climate Change Team will contact you to confirm your eligibility (we will ask you to provide us with documents to confirm your income) and explain the next steps.

  • 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 new round provides funding until 31 March 2026.

    Cheshire West and Chester have chosen to spend the money in the following ways:

    • food vouchers for families with children who get free school meals
    • payments to Pensioners who receive Pension Credit
    • payments to Pensioners on a low income who are not receiving Pension Credit and therefore no longer qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment support
    • making financial support available to people via local charitable

    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 new round provides funding until 31 March 2026.

    Cheshire West and Chester have chosen to spend the money in the following ways:

    • food vouchers for families with children who get free school meals
    • payments to Pensioners who receive Pension Credit
    • payments to Pensioners on a low income who are not receiving Pension Credit and therefore no longer qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment support
    • making financial support available to people via local charitable organisations
    • helping low-income households with energy and food costs
    • income maximisation software to support residents to claim all of their eligible entitlements.

    The new round of discretionary funding for 2025/26 will open by 16 May 2025 for applications 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. The discretionary scheme is only open to households which have an active claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.

    More information including how to apply can be found using the link below.
    https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/benefits-and-welfare-help/cost-of-living/household-support-fund/energy-and-food-cost-support

    During June, we will be contacting eligible Pension Credit customers directly to advise how to claim the support.

    In the Autumn, we will be directly contacting eligible low-income pensioners who are not receiving Pension Credit, to advise how to claim the support. More details will be provided in future newsletters.

    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

  • Cheshire West Crowd

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    Cheshire West Crowd empowers people to create projects that will make a positive difference to their community.

    Hundreds of different community projects have used the Cheshire West Crowd to run crowdfunding campaigns, collectively raising millions from thousands of supporters.

    The Council has also pledged its support to many projects, helping them on their journeys to reaching their crowdfunding targets.

    If you have an idea and a project in mind that you believe will make a difference to the people around you, consider sharing it with a local organisation. Any community project can kickstart their crowdfunding campaign on the Cheshire West

    Cheshire West Crowd empowers people to create projects that will make a positive difference to their community.

    Hundreds of different community projects have used the Cheshire West Crowd to run crowdfunding campaigns, collectively raising millions from thousands of supporters.

    The Council has also pledged its support to many projects, helping them on their journeys to reaching their crowdfunding targets.

    If you have an idea and a project in mind that you believe will make a difference to the people around you, consider sharing it with a local organisation. Any community project can kickstart their crowdfunding campaign on the Cheshire West Crowd.

    Cheshire West Crowd – Home (spacehive.com)

    The Cheshire West Crowd website has a range of information, including projects that are up and running and those that have already successfully used the platform, as well as details of how people can support them. You can filter the projects to Funded to see which ones are live.

    Discover projects on the Cheshire West Crowd (spacehive.com)