Essential support delivered to 20,000 vulnerable Cheshire East households

Cheshire East Council has provided vital assistance to more than 20,000 vulnerable households through the Household Support Fund (2020-2025), ensuring residents receive the help they need during challenging times.

Since its launch in 2020, the Household Support Fund has been a lifeline for thousands of residents, helping to ease the pressure of rising living costs and unexpected financial hardship. 

The fund has offered critical financial support in a variety of ways, from supermarket vouchers to help families put food on the table, energy vouchers and cash support to keep homes warm to boiler repairs and replacements for essential heating. 

Between April 2025 to December 2025, Cheshire East Council has provided £3m worth of essential support, including: 

• Over 5,000 food vouchers issued to help families access groceries. 
• Over 4,500 energy vouchers distributed to keep homes warm.
• Awarded £175,000 to local community organisations to strengthen their infrastructure and funding preventative initiatives designed to create lasting benefits well beyond the life of the grant.
• Prevented over 200 families from facing lengthy and costly court proceedings and evictions.
• Provided care leavers with essential white goods, giving them the best start in their new homes. 
• Made unsafe homes habitable for children, enabling families to return. 
• Supplied beds to families, ensuring no one had to sleep on the floor or a couch. 
• Helped young people stay in education by covering transport costs they otherwise couldn’t afford. 

Moving forward, the council remains committed to supporting residents through the new Crisis Resilience Fund, launching in April 2026. This fund will combine the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments.  

Subject to government confirmation, Cheshire East is expected to receive £11.3 million in funding over the next three years (£3.7m in 2026/27, £3.7m in 2027/28, £3.8m in 2028/29). This funding will ensure continued support until March 31, 2029. 

Councillor Laura Crane, chair of Cheshire East Council’s children and families committee, said: 

“The Household Support Fund has been of a lifeline for thousands of our residents during some of the toughest times. No one in Cheshire East should ever feel they have to struggle alone. As we move to the new Crisis Resilience Fund, we will continue working together with our voluntary and community partners to make sure every resident who needs help with food, bills, or essential support gets it quickly.” 

Residents can find out more on the council’s Household Support Fund webpage: 

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/household-support-fund