Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund is available until 31 March 2023 to help those most vulnerable to the rising cost of living, especially around the need for food, energy and water bills, and other essential costs.
The Government has confirmed the Household Support Fund programme will be extended from April 2023 to March 2024. The Council is currently waiting for guidance and will provide updates when more information is known.
Help and support
The Council is working with schools, academies, and partner organisations to ensure that funding is passed on to households most in need, as quickly as possible.
The largest proportion of funding is allocated to schools to provide food for children in receipt of free school meals. Schools will issue vouchers during October half term, Christmas break and February half term.
Snow Angels can help residents who are over 65 years old to meet the cost of food, fuel and wider essentials.
Referrals can be made via:
- Online form
- Telephone: 0300 666 6226
Dial West Cheshire can provide essential support for disabled residents most in need with food, water bills, energy cost including heating, cooking, and lighting, and other essentials. Funding can be awarded to families with children, couples, and vulnerable individuals.
Where possible, disabled individuals and organisations should make an online referral to Dial West Cheshire
- Household Support Fund – Dial West Cheshire
- Telephone: 01244 345655
Carers can apply to the West Cheshire, Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust for Household Support Fund grants to fund essential items and costs. This may include households not currently in receipt of DWP welfare benefits.
- Email: information@cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org
- Telephone: 0300 102 0008
CHAWREC can provide support for food, energy bills and wider essentials for people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups including Gypsies and Travellers, asylum seekers and refugees.
- Individuals and organisations can refer through completing an online form
- For support and further information call: 01244 400730
- Email office@chawrec.org.uk.
Women's Housing Action Group can provide support for food, energy bills, or wider essentials.
- Email: whag@whag.info
Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA) and the Welcome Network will be providing grants to charities and community and voluntary sector groups to support people in their local areas.
If you are not able to access support from the organisations on this page, please email with details of where you live and the team will signpost you to a local organisation:
Possible delays
We have received a large number of applications which are taking time to process. We are working through them as quickly as possible.
If you have already made an application and received a confirmation email with a claim reference number, there is no need to contact the office. We will contact you by email or in writing with the outcome of your application.
Introduction
Cheshire West and Chester residents can apply for a one-off emergency payment within a 12-month period for support with food, clothing, fuel and other essential costs. We may consider further applications in exceptional circumstances.
You will need
Unless proof is already held by us one or more of the following may be required:
- National Insurance number
- Identity, benefits, other income and capital (bank statements)
- Proof of where you live
- Proof of the emergency/crisis
- Proof of your outgoings
- Proof of arrears with your utility bills
Citizens Advice Cheshire West can help with fuel related advice and support.