Living Costs  

Cheshire West and Chester Council Benefits Advice 

You can apply for a range of welfare benefits if you’re on a low income, struggling to pay your bills or having other financial difficulties: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/housing-benefit-council-tax/benefit-advice 

Citizens Advice Cheshire West

Offer confidential and independent advice for free: https://www.citizensadvicecw.org.uk/  

Pennysmart CIC 

Budgeting, benefits and regulated debt advice: http://www.pennysmart.org.uk/  

St. Mark’s Debt Advice 

Debt management and budgeting advice: http://www.stmarkssaltney.org.uk/  

Dial West Cheshire 

Advice and support on benefits for disabled people: http://www.dialwestcheshire.org.uk/  

Help in Emergencies for Local People (HELP) 

A discretionary scheme offering welfare assistance for exceptional needs: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/housing-benefit-council-tax/help  

Chester Work Zone 

Community learning courses covering money management, cooking five meals for £5, and health and wellbeing courses. You can call the Work Zone on 07775 717122  

NHS Exemption Certificate 

Check if you have an exemption from paying NHS costs: https://services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-my-nhs-exemption/start  

Benefits and Financial Support 

Check if you are eligible for any benefits or financial support: https://www.gov.uk/check-benefits-financial-support  

Tomorrow’s Women

An organisation supporting women with budgeting, money management and cooking on a budget.

https://www.tomorrowswomen.org.uk/services-available-chester 

Housing Costs  

Cheshire West and Chester Council Household Support Fund 

Help with the cost of food, energy and water bills: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/education-and-learning/household-support-fund 

Council Tax Support 

Aimed at helping people who are on low incomes by covering part of all of the council tax bill: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/housing-benefit-council-tax 

Mortgage Payment Advice 

Tailored advice for those who may have problems with mortgage payments: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/mortgage-problems-debt-and-money 

  

Energy and Utilities 

Various Government schemes to help with energy bill payments

https://www.gov.uk/apply-alternative-fuel-bill-support-if-not-automatic

Accessible In-Home Displays

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) have helped develop an accessible smart meter. Smart meters can allow you to keep track of your energy usage. To find out more information, contact the RNIB helpline on 0303 123 9999

Carers Support

Financial support aimed towards carers: https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/

Green Doctor 

Helps households across Cheshire West to stay warm, stay well, save money on their utility bills and reduce carbon emissions http://www.groundwork.org.uk/greendoctor 

Cheshire West and Chester Council Home Energy Schemes 

Council schemes for home upgrade grants and solar panel funding: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/energy/home-energy/council-schemes 

Water Bill Support 

You can contact your water company to discuss any worries you may have paying your water bill. You can also visit the following website for advice: http://www.supportontap.org

Pre-payment meter fuel vouchers 

People with pre-payment meters can request a fuel voucher (gas and/or electric) from Citizens Advice Cheshire West, Involve Northwest and Energy Projects Plus. These vouchers are provided by national charity Fuelbank Foundation. You can find out how to contact them at the following links:  

• Citizens Advice Cheshire West: https://www.citizensadvicecw.org.uk/
• Involve Northwest: https://involvenorthwest.org.uk/ or call on 0151 644 4500
• Energy Projects Plus: https://www.epplus.org.uk/ or call on 0151 637 3670
• Fuelbank Foundation: https://www.fuelbankfoundation.org/individuals/

Social Tariffs 

Cheaper broadband and phone packages are available for people on Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. You can check if you are eligible for a social tariff package on the Ofcom website: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffs 

 

Welcoming Spaces

Cheshire West and Chester Council are working with a number of Council services, Council-owned organisations and local community groups to offer residents in the borough access to Welcoming Spaces.

These spaces are free for residents of all ages to use during their stated opening times and provide a space where people can socialise and stay warm.

Details of all venues taking part in the scheme are included on Warm Welcome Campaign website.

Welcoming spaces | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Children 

Healthy Start Vouchers 

If you are on Universal Credit or Child Tax Credits, you may be eligible for further support buying food and milk: www.healthystart.nhs.uk 

Free School Meals 

If you receive other benefits, you may be eligible to apply for Free School Meals for your children. To check, visit: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/education-and-learning/free-school-meals 

 

Food Banks  

There are a number of foodbanks located around the constituency. To find one closest to you, please visit:

Locations | West Cheshire Foodbank

 

Mental Health Services  

NHS Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Foundation Trust 

A local mental health crisis line available 24/7 on 0800 145 6485 or you can visit https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/getting-help/need-urgent-help 

The Samaritans 

Available 24/7 over the phone on 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org  

SHOUT  

A crisis text messaging service. You can send a text message anytime of the day and you will have a conversation with a real person. Text SHOUT to 85258  

Kooth 

Helping children and young people aged 11 to 18 years old with their mental health. You can chat to their counsellors or read articles that are written by other young people. For more information, visit their website: https://www.kooth.com/ 

Koala 

Practical and wellbeing support for families: www.koalanw.co.uk 

Chapter Mental Health 

Local mental health support in Cheshire West: https://chaptermentalhealth.org/ 

MIND

Library of practical wellbeing support for people of all ages: https://www.mind.org.uk/