Inspiring change together

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

• 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
• There is also support available through the Holiday Activities and Food Fund (HAF): Cheshire West Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme | 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

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:

Connect To Work | Cheshire West and Chester Council

If you have any questions, please email: ConnectToWork@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

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

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:

Cost of school uniforms - GOV.UK.

The Council's approach

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:

Crisis and Resilience Fund | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Help with school uniforms in Cheshire West

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:

• Kidsbank support families in Chester, Ellesmere Port and surrounding areas with children aged 4-11 years: Uniform Self Referral Form – Kids Bank
• Free UniformS for School (FUSS) help with secondary school uniforms in Ellesmere Port, Neston and surrounding areas– Ellesmere Port Fuss
• Green Uniform and Baby Bank (GUBB) offer primary and secondary school uniforms in Winsford, Northwich and surrounding areas: GUBB
• Her-Place run a Share Hub, Baby Bank and Community Laundrette in their Winsford Hub: – Motherwell Community Hub and Laundrette - Her-Place

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

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.

For more information about Digital Cheshire and what they do, visit: Enhancing Digital Connectivity for the Sub Region | Digital Cheshire.

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.

Visit the Warm Welcome webpage to find a space near you: Warm Welcome | Find Community Spaces Near You.

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.

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.

Learn about the landline switchover, OPAL Services, and how to use your device.

Connecting Cheshire are hosting a free drop-in event alongside OPAL (Older People Active Lives) and BT, and you’re invited.

Do you ever feel a bit unsure about using your phone, tablet, or computer? Would you like some friendly support to make things easier? Or maybe you’ve heard about the landline switchover and want to know what it means for you?

We can help with all of this – and more!

📅 Thursday, 11 December 2025

🕒 10:00am – 12:00 noon

📍The Lounge at St Philip’s Church, Chester Road, Kelsall, Tarporley, CW6 0SA

No need to book, just pop in, have a chat, and meet our friendly team.

We’re here to answer your questions and make sure you feel confident and supported.

Digital Inclusion Events - Digital Cheshire

The Council in partnership with Edsential and a wide range of community organisations, is providing a fantastic programme of free activities and nutritional support for children and families this winter as part of the (HAF) Programme.

Funded nationally by the Department for Education (DfE), the HAF Programme enables local providers to offer enriching activities and healthy meals to children and young people who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals (BRFSM).

This winter children and young people can choose from 23 clubs run over 43 locations which includes activity clubs, and free family events including local pantomimes and bowling.

Support for non-eligible families
There are also paid places available with some providers for those who don’t meet the criteria, so that other children and young people can join in the fun too.

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Provision is available for SEND children and young people who are on benefits-related free school meals, with some providers able to offer paid for places for those not eligible.

Information about all of the events and activities available as part of the HAF Programme can be found on the new, dedicated west Cheshire area on the Edsential website

Cheshire West and Chester provision

Criteria eligibility for the programme
The HAF holiday provision is for school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who are eligible for BRFSM.

For more information about free school meals eligibility criteria, visit:

Free school meals | Cheshire West and Chester Council

A comprehensive list of other, non-HAF related, winter holiday activities across the borough is available on the Council’s website.
School holiday activities | Cheshire West and Chester Council

If you have any questions about the HAF programme, please email: HAF@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk