Cost of Living Support
Cheshire West and Chester- Cost of living support
It is currently a really challenging time for a number of families across west Cheshire. Families may be worried about the rising cost of energy bills, food, and transport. The cost of living is rising, and this could have an impact on all aspects of finances.
Families may want help accessing welfare rights, benefits and debt advice, support getting all the money they're entitled to, or simply want to know more about national recent support measures.
Whatever their money worries may be, the Council has put together some useful information to help.
The page includes a wealth of information including the Household Support Fund, the Council’s HELP Scheme, Warm Welcoming Spaces and much more.
Click on the link to access the Cheshire West and Chester website: Cost of living support
At Tilston School, we want to assure parents that all activities planned through school or the TSA are inclusive to all. If any families need some financial support, please contact me in confidence and I will look at ways we can support you.
Free School Meals
Do you qualify?
You may be able to claim free school meals. All key stage one pupils will automatically receive them. You need to apply to Cheshire West and Chester if you are receiving one of the benefits listed below as your school can claim additional funding which can help towards equipment and resources.
We encourage all parents, including KS1 parents, to apply if you think you may be eligible. If you meet the criteria, the school will receive additional funding, called pupil premium, which can be used to support the cost of trips, residential visits and additional support in school.
You will qualify if you are receiving one of the following benefits.
- Income Support
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190
- The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Do you receive Working Tax credit?
If you or a partner receive Working Tax Credit regardless of income you will not qualify for free school meals.
Please click on the link below to apply: Apply for free school meals - Your data - Self (cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk)
Cost of Living Support Newsletter
Cheshire West and Chester Council is launching a new e-newsletter to support residents through the cost-of-living crisis.
The rising cost of living means that more people will need help to buy essential goods and heat their homes this winter. This is why we are launching a dedicated e-newsletter, called ‘Cost of Living Support,’ to inform you about the support available.
The newsletter will come out monthly and can be sent directly to your inbox.
In the newsletter, you will find lots of helpful information about the schemes available to help with essential costs, like food and fuel, and other support that you might be eligible for.
The newsletter will have a ‘Partner Stories’ section where people from other organisations in the community can share what they are doing to lend their support.
We will also include helpful advice, from how to heat your home efficiently to money-saving tips.
If you would like to receive regular updates and hear about the support available, you can sign up to the Cost of Living Support Newsletter here.