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  • Challenge Poverty Week: Let’s End Poverty Together

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    Challenge Poverty Week runs from 13–19 October. It’s a chance for us all to shine a light on the real challenges people face and to celebrate the incredible work already happening across our communities.

    We’re encouraging everyone to Do One Thing to take a simple step towards improving your financial wellbeing. Whether it’s having a chat with family, seeking advice, or reviewing your budget. Small actions can lead to big changes.

    Below are a few suggestions to get you started, remember you only need to do one.

    If you’re part of an organisation that supports people in your community, tell us how you're making a difference. Share your work, your impact, and how you're listening to those with lived experience. Use the hashtags #ChallengePoverty and tag @go_CheshireWest so we can amplify your voice.

  • 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
    • 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 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 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

  • Welcoming Spaces

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    Welcoming Spaces continue to be available to all residents of Cheshire West.

    Expect a warm welcome when visiting one of many Welcoming Spaces across the borough. They offer a safe space where people can connect with others in their community and make new friends.

    The network of Welcoming Spaces includes Council libraries, churches, community centres and more.

    It’s important that during the colder months, everyone has a warm place to go, particularly if you’re struggling with the rising cost of energy bills.

    Welcoming Spaces are for everyone. They are also there for people who may be feeling alone or isolated, and who fancy a change of scenery from their own home. It’s a great opportunity to meet others in your community for a nice friendly chat over a cup of tea or coffee.

    Find your nearest Welcoming Space

    Mindful Mondays – spend time with animals and have a cuppa!

    If you love to be around animals, why not drop by Higher Farm, Byley on a Monday from 2.30pm until 4pm. There will be the opportunity to learn some mindfulness exercises or just chill around the animals. Then it’s off to the café for a cuppa.
    This activity is free of charge.

    Location: Higher Farm Café, Higher Farm, Byley, Middlewich CW10 9LN

    For enquiries: contact lisa@higherfarmwellbeing.uk Tel: 07879 394390

  • Home energy efficiency schemes available for eligible residents

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    As we head towards the cooler autumn months, take the time to see if you are eligible to apply for one of our energy efficiency schemes.

    Improving the energy efficiency of your home not only helps to reduce energy bills but also has the added benefit of helping to improve your health and wellbeing. There are a number of schemes available, including the Home Upgrade Grant and The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme.

    Home Upgrade Grant
    This scheme is available to eligible residents living in a property that is not heated by mains gas and has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of Band D, E, F or G.

    If you qualify for a Home Upgrade Grant then improvements that can be made to your home include, wall and loft insulation, heating upgrades, solar panels for electricity generation and much more.

    The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme
    This is a national Government scheme aimed at improving the energy efficiency of eligible homes to help reduce fuel poverty levels and lower carbon emissions.

    If you live you live in a property with an EPC rating of Band D, E, F or G and you meet certain eligibility criteria you may be able to benefit from a range of energy efficiency upgrades.

    To find out more about these and other schemes or to apply, visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/homeenergyhelp .

  • 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 30 September 2024 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.

    If you fall into one of these categories and haven’t already received support through the Household Support Fund since April 2024, we are now accepting further applications for remaining funding.

    To find out if you’re eligible to apply for a one off payment of £50, visit:
    http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/household-support-fund

    For families of children in receipt of free school meals the usual £15 food voucher, per week, per pupil, will be issued by the school for the 6-week summer break period.

    There is currently no confirmation from government that the Household Support Fund will be continuing beyond 30 September 2024.

    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

  • Firefighters urge people to stay warm but safe

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    Cheshire firefighters are offering advice on how to stay safe when trying to keep warm this winter.

    To reduce costs, many people will be looking for alternative ways to heat their homes - opening themselves up to dangers and greater risk of fire in the home.

    Please follow the advice to stay safe.

    • If you have a log burner or solid fuel fire, make sure you get your chimney swept regularly so there's no build up inside and the space is free from bird nesting materials. Stack logs by the side of a fire and use a fireguard where possible to prevent embers falling out.
    • Make sure candles are secured in a holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains. Never leave candles unattended around pets and children. Always put them out before you go to bed.
    • When using a wheat bag, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and ensure it is not heated in a microwave for too long, or at too high a temperature.

    • Camping stoves and barbecues should never be used indoors.

    • Install a smoke alarm on every floor of your home and regularly test and maintain them – smoke alarms save lives.

    Sitting room temperatures are recommended to be kept at 21°C and bedrooms should be 18°C. If you’re feeling the chill, use a blanket or layer your clothing to trap heat better.

    For more information and advice about staying safe and preventing fire, visit: cheshirefire.gov.uk/keepingwarm

  • Citizens Advice Cheshire West - energy advice services

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    Citizens Advice has a dedicated energy team offering a range of services designed to help residents in Cheshire West with the ongoing energy crisis.

    Their aim is to help those already in fuel poverty and to stop others from falling into fuel poverty. The energy project looks to help residents achieve affordable warmth by improving energy efficiency, increasing income, and providing energy advice.

    Free energy advice appointments are available. Providing tips on how to reduce consumption and cut energy costs as well as signposting residents to available grants and schemes to help them maximise their income.

    Free energy advice workshops are available to community groups, consumers and volunteers, at their place of work or venue. Here you will receive helpful energy advice and there will be leaflets and other materials to take away with you. These are delivered as energy talks directly to consumers at meetings or as drop-ins / pop-ups.

    Free training presentations can be delivered to organisations who have officers or volunteers that work directly with residents who are either facing or in fuel poverty. These interactive training sessions include topics and information that can be used to help front line workers provide help and advice to others.

    To find out more about energy advice services on offer from Citizens Advice Cheshire West, or to book an appointment or workshop, visit:
    www.citizensadvicecw.org.uk

    Alternatively, you can email the energy team, at:
    energy-advice@citizensadvicecw.org.uk

  • New app available to help you save money on your energy bills

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    The Council has teamed up with the Energy Saving Trust to bring you an app that will give you advice on how to use less energy in your home and save money.

    The app which is available to download from both Apple and android app stores is simple and easy to use.

    It takes you on a journey of a typical home. Simply click on the different rooms within the home, such as a bedroom or kitchen and you will be prompted to answer yes or no to certain questions relating to electrical items within that room – things such as ‘Do you turn off lights every time you leave a room?’. If the answer is No, then it will tell you what potential financial saving you could make if you change what you currently do.

    Did you know:
    • that by turning lights off when you don’t need them you will save around £25 a year on your energy bill

    • if you line dry your clothes in the summer months instead of using a tumble dryer you could save £60 each year

    • if you replace your showerhead with a water efficient one it can save you around £35 off your yearly gas bill.

    Once you have completed your tour of the rooms in the house, the app will tell you the total potential saving you could make by making a few minor changes. You can also ask for a report that shows you where you could save energy and money.

    Not only will the suggested energy saving measures help to save you money, you will also be playing your part to reduce your household carbon emissions which in turn supports the borough’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2045.

    Download the app today by searching CWAC: Energy Advice Tool and start saving money as well as protecting the planet.