Help applying for benefits

Our Financial Welfare Team is holding a series of drop-in events at several libraries during May 2025 aimed at supporting people’s financial health.  

At each event, there will be a range of support to help people check or apply for the following: 

• 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 Financial Welfare Team provide targeted support via surgeries and events in local venues where Council Tax debt is high and benefit take up low.

There is no need to book an appointment, just come into the library on the following dates and times: 

Contact the Financial Welfare Team

 fwteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk