Cost of Living
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/