Support in Cheshire
A directory of financial support that is available in Cheshire
Help with food
Households with children that are eligible for free school meals can access free holiday clubs, where they will be provided with healthy meals and take part in fun and creative activities. This is being offered via all local authorities and customers should contact their local council to book on to these.
Help with rent
Discretionary Housing Payments
- Discretionary Housing Payments (cheshireeast.gov.uk)
- Discretionary housing payments | Cheshire West and Chester Council
- Vicars Relief Fund
Email: vrf@stmartinscharity.org.uk
Phone: 020 3795 5746 (voicemail only)
Help with school uniforms
Help with school uniforms varies between schools and local authorities. Those in need of assistance should contact their child’s school directly.
Help with white goods
Help for people with disabilities and special needs
- Contact - for families with disabled children | Contact
- Birkdale Trust: grants for people with a hearing impairment
- Children today: for specialised equipment and services
- Family Action: for families living with poverty, ill health and social isolation
- Family Fund: for lower-income families with a severely disabled child
- Family Holiday Association: for low-income families who need of a break
- Lifeline 4 kids: essential equipment to improve quality of life
- Meningitis Now: to deal with the impact of meningitis.
- New Life Foundation: for seriously disabled or terminally ill children.
- Smile for Life: access to funding from charities and organisations.
- Turn to us: access to welfare benefits, charitable grants
- The Variety Club: to provide vital daily items
- Fast Grants: access to smaller amounts of funding for good ideas without the red tape
Help for families with young children
Healthy Start Scheme If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you might get help to buy:
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Milk
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Fruit and vegetables
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Baby formula
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Vitamins
You’ll get a special card with money added every 4 weeks. You can use it in many UK shops. Find out more on the NHS Healthy Starts Website.
Free Dental Products at Boots: If you have a child aged 3 to 5, you can get free toothbrushes and toothpaste at Boots. Just go into the store and ask for “Jesse” a staff member will help you quietly.
Emergency Essentials for Children: If your family is going through a tough time, the BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme can help. It provides things like:
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Beds and bedding
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Cookers and fridges
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Clothes and baby equipment
You need a support worker or organisation to apply for you. Learn more at the Family Fund Service Website.