Household support fund

The Government has provided the Household Support Fund to local authorities for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Having considered about how best to help people in Cheshire West and Chester, we 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. Please note following the announcement of changes to the Winter Fuel Payment criteria, this support will no longer be provided and alternative options to use these funds are being considered. Once these have been finalised this webpage will be updated
• 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 discretionary support for helping low income households with energy and food costs is now available for applications. Please see our Energy and food cost support page to apply.

To ensure a smooth application process, please read through all of the claim advice given on the energy and food cost support page before applying.

For the scheme issuing payments to Pensioners who receive Pension Credit, eligible households are being contacted and all invites will be issued by early July 2025. If you believe you are eligible and have not received contact by mid July 2025, please contact householdsupport@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or 0808 175 3599. However, if you have received your invite and require general support with claiming please contact the telephone number included on the invite to claim.

If you are currently struggling and require support with energy and food, we have lots of information available regarding the cost of living, other benefits and grants available, and our HELP scheme which provides support in an emergency or crisis situation for food, furniture and white goods.

You can contact the HELP scheme on 0808 175 3599 Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.