Help applying for benefits

Our Financial Welfare Team provides help and advice to improve your financial health.

We can help in any of the following ways:

  • Benefit health checks: ensure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to. With a review of your current benefits and support to identify any additional ones you may qualify for. 
  • Council tax arrears assistance: help to organise a manageable payment plan.
  • Council tax support: help with applying for council tax support which may reduce your council tax bill.
  • Housing benefit applications: guidance through the application process.
  • Free school meals: help applying for free school meals for your children.
  • Blue badge application process.
  • Discretionary housing payment to cover shortfalls in paying your rent.

We encourage you to take up all welfare benefits to maximise income and reduce unnecessary stress. We provide advice and signpost you to other organisations, if necessary, for other Department for Work and Pensions benefit entitlements.

The take-up of benefits helps to improve the local economy and eases the pressure on services dealing with long term poverty. We aim to provide specific focus and expertise for residents who need that support.

Support surgeries  

Our team are available in person to provide targeted support via surgeries and events in local venues where Council Tax debt is high and benefit take-up is low.

There is no need to book an appointment, just come come along to any of the events.

Drop in session venues, dates and times
VenueDateTime
Congleton Library Monday 19 May 10am to 4pm
Crewe Library Friday 23 May 10am to 4pm
Handforth Library Friday 23 May 10am to 1.30pm
Macclesfield Library Wednesday 21 May 10am to 4pm
Nantwich Library Tuesday 20 May 10am to 4pm
New Life Church Tuesday 10 June 10am to 4pm
Sandbach Pantry Thursday 26 June  10am to 3pm

Contact the Financial Welfare Team

Fill in a request form for them to contact you

 or email: fwteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Page last reviewed: 15 May 2025