Other benefits

You can find help, guidance and further benefits which may be available in our:

Death and bereavement benefits

Funeral Payments - If you're on a low income and need help to pay for a funeral you're arranging, you may be able to get a Funeral Payment from the Social Fund. You might have to repay some or all of it from the estate of the person who died. Find out more information including how to claim.

Bereavement Allowance - After you're widowed you may be able to claim Bereavement Allowance, the taxable weekly benefit paid to you for up to 52 weeks from the date of death of your husband, wife or civil partner.

Bereavement Payment - If your husband, wife or civil partner has died you may be able to get Bereavement Payment, a one-off, lump-sum payment of £2,000 that's tax-free.

War Widows Pensions - A War Widow's or Widower's Pension is a tax-free pension you may be entitled to if your wife, husband or civil partner died as a result of their service in Her Majesty's (HM) Armed Forces or during a time of war.

Widowed Parent's Allowance - If you’re a parent whose husband, wife or civil partner has died and you have at least one child who you receive Child Benefit for, you may be able to get Widowed Parent's Allowance (WPA).

Education grants and benefits

Free school meals - Find out how to apply for free school meals in the Cheshire West area.

School transport - Find out more about school transport, including help if you are claiming benefits.

Employment and Jobseeker benefits

Income Support - Income Support is extra money to help people on a low income. It’s for people who don't have to sign on as unemployed. Whether you qualify or not and how much you get depends on your circumstances.

Jobseekers Allowance - Jobseeker’s Allowance is the main benefit for people of working age who are out of work or work less than 16 hours a week on average. If you're eligible, it is paid while you're looking for work. You can apply online.

Employment and Support Allowance - Employment and Support Allowance provides financial help to people who are unable to work because of illness or disability. It also provides personalised support to those who are able to work.

Statutory Sick Pay - If you're an employee and unable to work because you're ill you may be able to get Statutory Sick Pay. It is paid by your employer and can be paid for up to 28 weeks. Find out who can get Statutory Sick Pay and how it's paid.

Working Tax Credit - What changes you need to tell the Tax Credit Office about, how to contact them and when you need to do it.

Industrial Injury Disablement Benefit - Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) is for people who are disabled because of an accident at work or who are ill or disabled as a result of a disease or deafness caused by work.

Family and child benefits

Child Benefit - To claim Child Benefit you need to fill in a claim form. You can get one online, plus other information about claiming.

Child Tax Credit - If you have a new baby or you're responsible for any children under the age of 16 - or under 20 if they're in full-time education or approved training - you may be able to claim Child Tax Credit to help with the cost of looking after them.

Health and Social Care benefits

Attendance Allowance - Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit you may get if you're aged 65 or over and need help with personal care because you're physically or mentally disabled.

Carer's Allowance - Carer's Allowance is a benefit to help people who look after someone who is disabled. You don't have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. Find out who can get Carer's Allowance and how to claim.

Disability Living Allowance - Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is no longer available for adults aged 16 and over. Personal Independence Payment has now replaced DLA. Please see section below for further information.

Employment and Support Allowance - Employment and Support Allowance provides financial help to people who are unable to work because of illness or disability. It also provides personalised support to those who are able to work.

Personal Independence Payment - Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps with some of the extra costs caused by long-term ill-health or a disability if you're aged 16 to 64.

• You could get between £21.80 to £139.75 a week to help with the extra costs caused by your condition. How much you get is not based on your condition, but how your condition affects you.
• You'll need an assessment to work out the level of help you get. Your award will be regularly reassessed to make sure you're getting the right support.

Retirement and pensions

Pension Credit - Guarantee Credit is for those who have reached the minimum qualifying age. Find out if you are entitled to Pension Credit and how and when to apply for this benefit.by visiting the website.

State Pensions - The State Pension is a regular payment people can claim when they get to State Pension age. Most people build up some State Pension, but the amount they get varies. It's worth understanding how you build up State Pension and how much income it will give you in later life.

New State Pension - The new State Pension is a regular payment from the government that you can claim if you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016.

You can get the new State Pension if you’re eligible and you’re:

• a man born on or after 6 April 1951
• a woman born on or after 6 April 1953

The full new State Pension is £155.65 per week.

Company Pensions - There are different types of company pensions (also known as occupational pensions) that are available. Get the information you need to help you decide whether you want to contribute towards your company pension. And find out what to do if you leave your company.

Social Fund Benefits

Cold Weather Payments - During a very cold winter, the costs of heating can quickly add up. If you’re receiving certain benefits, you may be able to get a Cold Weather Payment for each period of very cold weather in your area. Find out whether you could qualify for help this winter.

Budgeting Loan - If you're on a low income and need help with certain important costs, you may be able to get an interest-free Budgeting Loan from the Social Fund that you pay back.