Crisis and Resilience Fund

There are a range of benefits available for different circumstances, whether you are a parent, carer, unemployed, or working on a low income.

To check whether you are receiving all the financial support you may be entitled to, you can use the benefits calculator.  When you complete this calculator, it will show you any benefits, discounts or social tariffs that you may be eligible for.

To use the benefits calculator:

1.  Click on the Benefits Calculator button below
2. Answer all the questions about your circumstances
3. Once you have answered the questions, the calculator will generate a list of benefits, discounts and social tariffs you may be eligible for
4. Follow the links provided to find out more about each option and how to apply

Benefits Calculator

Crisis support

Residents can apply for one crisis payment per household of £200 from 20 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 through our portal Apply4.Online®. We aim to process applications within 2 working days of submission.

When crisis support can be used

Crisis support provides immediate financial assistance to people who are facing a short-term emergency. A crisis occurs when an individual or household is unable to meet essential and immediate needs due to a sudden financial shock or an unexpected reduction in income. It can also include situations such as accidents, health issues or household breakdowns that leave someone unable to afford basic necessities, including food, heating or essential household items.

If you need help to apply online

If you are unable to complete the Apply4.Online® application yourself, you can ask any of the following to help you:

• a trusted family member
• a trusted friend
• a trusted professional already supporting you

Check if your income and savings are within the limits

The tables below show the maximum household income you can have to qualify for a  CRF crisis payment. This depends on your household size. Savings limits also apply.

Single adult households

Two adult households

Savings limits

You can have the following amount in savings:

• up to £3,000 per person
• up to £6,000 per person if you are of pension age

Apply for crisis support

What you need to do to apply and the information required

When completing your application, you will need to:

• provide details about everyone who lives in your household
• share your financial information (income, spending, debt repayments, and any savings)
• explain why you need crisis support
• agree to an identity check using your bank account (ensure your bank has your current address)
• optionally complete a benefits calculator to check if you are receiving all the support you may be entitled to

Before starting your application through Apply4.Online®, read the guidance on completing the Apply4.Online® application form (PDF, 1.2MB) and make sure you have the following ready:

• your main bank account details (account number and sort code)
• a recent bank statement showing at least four weeks of transactions, including income (if not using Open Banking)
• proof of address (e.g. recent council tax bill, recent utility bill, or current tenancy agreement showing your name and address)

When you are ready, click the application button below to start your claim.

Apply4.Online®

Guidance on completing the Apply4.Online® application form (PDF, 1.2MB

This form also provides the option to apply for an oil support payment.

If you are experiencing homelessness or do not have a bank account

If you are experiencing homelessness and need CRF crisis support, you must ask a trusted professional to make a referral on your behalf. You must also be getting support from a Cheshire East organisation that works with people experiencing homelessness.

If you do not have a bank account and need CRF crisis support, you must ask a trusted professional to make a referral on your behalf.

Information for trusted professionals about how to make a referral is available on the Professionals CRF webpage.

When can you apply for oil support

If your home is heated using oil and you are struggling to pay your heating costs, you can apply for one oil heating payment per household of £300.00 between 20 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 through our portal Apply4.Online®. We aim to process applications within 2 working days of submission.

You may be able to get help with your oil costs if:

• You are on a low income, and
• Your oil tank is at 30% or less, meaning you are at risk of not being able to heat your home or have hot water.

Your oil tank gauge, or a smart monitoring app, will show how much oil you have. If it shows 30% or less, you may be eligible. You will be asked to provide evidence that you pay for home oil alongside a photo or screenshot of your tank gauge/smart app.

If you need help to apply online

If you are unable to complete the Apply4.Online® application yourself, you can ask any of the following to help you:

• a trusted family member
• a trusted friend
• a trusted professional already supporting you

What you need to do to apply and the information required

When completing your application, you will need to:

• provide details about everyone who lives in your household
• share your financial information (income, spending, debt repayments, and any savings)
• be aware that when you complete the application for oil support, crisis support will also be applied for. If you do not require this or do not meet the financial limits, please make a note within your claim
• agree to an identity check using your bank account (ensure your bank has your current address)
• optionally complete a benefits calculator to check if you are receiving all the support you may be entitled to

Before starting your application through Apply4.Online®, read the guidance on completing the Apply4.Online® application form (PDF, 1.2MB) and make sure you have the following ready:

• your main bank account details (account number and sort code)
• a recent bank statement showing at least four weeks of transactions, including income (if not using Open Banking)
• proof of address (e.g. recent council tax bill, recent utility bill, or current tenancy agreement showing your name and address)
• evidence that you pay for home oil alongside a photo or screenshot of your tank gauge/smart app

When you are ready, click the application button below to start your claim.

Apply4.Online®

Guidance on completing the Apply4.Online® application form (PDF, 747KB).

This form also provides the option to apply for crisis support.

Support for household essentials covering white goods and beds is available for residents who are financially vulnerable.

This support is available now.

• You must discuss your need for support with household essentials with a trusted professional who is currently working with you or knows your current situation. If appropriate, your trusted professional would then make a referral on your behalf to a charitable organisation.
• A trusted professional is a person who works in an organisation that supports adults and families. A trusted professional can work in a range of organisations, for example they may work in health, education, housing support and advice, faith or third sector organisations. This is not an exhaustive list and if the professional is unsure if they can make a referral on your behalf, please request that they email the Cheshire East CRF Team via CRF@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Support with housing costs through the CRF aims to provide short-term help with your housing costs. This support can give you some breathing space while you work on improving your housing or personal situation. It is not meant to provide long-term support, but this may be available in exceptional cases.

If you are unable to complete the CRF housing costs application yourself, you can ask any of the following to help you:

• a trusted family member
• a trusted friend
• a trusted professional already supporting you

This support is available now.

Please follow the link to the Crisis and Resilience Fund housing payments for more information about what this support can cover and how to apply.

A number of community support schemes have been funded across Cheshire East. You can find information about some of these here: Community Support

Cheshire East is working to strengthen and enhance the networks within our communities to ensure there is a clear pathway between crisis support and longer‑term resilience services. Our aim is to improve residents’ financial resilience and to help build a stronger, more coordinated local support landscape.

To achieve this, we are continuing to work with local partners across voluntary, community and faith organisations to bring together a wide range of services that can help households develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to manage their finances and improve their overall stability.

This part of our Crisis and Resilience Fund offer is currently being developed. Further information on the community resilience support available, including how to access it, will be published on this page as soon as the details are confirmed.

Trusted professionals will be able to make referrals to Exceptional Cost Support from 8 April 2026.

Exceptional cost support is available for financially vulnerable residents to help them make significant, positive and sustainable change. All other support options must be explored before this route can be considered.

• You must discuss your need for exceptional cost support with a trusted professional. They will talk to you about why the support is needed, how it will have a positive impact and what steps you are taking to reduce the need for similar help in the future.
• A trusted professional is a person who works in an organisation that supports adults and families. A trusted professional can work in a range of organisations, for example they may work in health, education, housing support and advice, faith or third sector organisations. This is not an exhaustive list and if the professional is unsure if they can make a referral on your behalf, please request that they email the Cheshire East CRF Team via CRF@cheshireeast.gov.uk
• You will be required to provide evidence supporting your financial vulnerability.
• If your request relates to debt, you must provide evidence that you have contacted a debt advice organisation and have a debt plan in place or are in the process of setting one up. Referrals cannot be made without this.
• Where appropriate, your trusted professional will make a referral on your behalf.
• All applications are considered by the CRF Decision Panel, which meets monthly. The trusted professional who makes the referral will be informed of the outcome.