Crisis and Resilience Fund

As part of the Crisis and Resilience Fund, support will be available to those who have experienced sudden or unexpected financial shock to provide crisis support.

There is no set list of what is classed as a crisis, however examples could include unforeseen events such as a fire, flood, a health emergency, or loss of employment.

This Crisis Payment support will be available to help support with costs such as food, energy, transport or other essential living costs.

This support can be requested through an application, and those who are successful will be given a payment of £50 via a direct payment to their bank account to help alleviate their financial shock.

As part of this application, you will be expected to demonstrate the financial shock you have encountered, and further information or evidence may be requested from you. This support is not automatic, and will be considered on a case by case basis for those who have encountered this sudden or unexpected financial shock.

To apply for support, you will be required to create an online account. Once logged in, if you are not taken directly to the application page, you can find this application by using quick code: 307B8V

Property reference number

In order to verify that your household is eligible for support, you will be asked to provide your property reference number for the property where you are liable for Council Tax or receiving Housing Benefit.

To find your property reference number for this scheme, please visit tax service.gov.UK to find your property. Once found, this will provide you with a Local Authority reference number. Please add CP to the front of this reference number to apply e.g. if showing as 20830250242820, please apply using CP20830250242820.

Alternatively your property reference number can be found on the application form by using the search function with your postcode and house name/number. This search button is shown as a blue link named “Search for a property in your authority’s records” above the property reference request box on the application.

If you are currently in a property which does not have its own individual property reference or multiple households likely to share a reference but you are receiving Housing Benefit e.g. a Bed and Breakfast, joint tenancy or houseboat, please contact 0808 175 3599 to obtain your relevant property reference to apply.

Banking Checks

As part of this application, a bank verification check will be completed to ensure that the bank account declared belongs to the person applying for support.

If this bank verification check fails, this may require further contact with you to verify your bank account. Therefore, in order to ensure your payment is processed promptly, please attach to your application evidence that the bank account belongs to you e.g. bank statement which shows the account name, bank account number and sort code clearly visible.

Alternatively, please provide this to householdsupport@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk along with your 7 digit application reference. If you do not provide your evidence when requested then unfortunately we will be unable to consider your application so please ensure this is provided.

Benefits Calculator

As part of your application, you must complete our benefits calculator which will notify you of any benefits that you are missing out on which you would be eligible for. This calculator will also advise you if there are any social tariffs available to reduce your living expenses such as energy bills.

It is therefore recommended that when you start this application, you have information to hand regarding your income and household bills.