Has something unexpected made it harder to afford your energy?

The Heating Bank provides financial help with energy costs for eligible households in Cheshire West and Chester.

Funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Crisis Resilience Fund, the scheme supports people on a low income when an unexpected change in their financial circumstances makes it difficult to afford their energy costs.

You may be able to get help if:

• you live in Cheshire West and Chester
• you are on a low income
• something unexpected has recently affected your finances, making it difficult to afford your energy costs.

An unexpected change could include:

• losing your job or having your working hours reduced
• a reduction in benefits or other income
• an unexpected essential cost
• an unexpected change in circumstances

The Heating Bank provides help when something unexpected has changed your financial circumstances. It is not intended to provide ongoing support where income remains low but circumstances have not recently changed.

Find out more about the sort of things that we count as a ‘financial shock’.

One award per household is available until 31 March 2027.

What evidence will I need?

To make a decision, we need to understand what has happened and how it has affected your ability to pay for energy.

Please provide:

• Proof of address – dated within the last 3 months.
• Your latest energy bill showing actual meter readings, with your name and address clearly shown; or
• A photo/screenshot of your prepayment meter showing the current balance, meter serial number and barcode. Please include your name, address and the date written on paper next to the meter.
• Evidence of the unexpected change (dated within last 6 week)

For example:

• a payslip showing reduced hours or income
• Universal Credit statement showing reduction
• an invoice or receipt
• a dismissal or redundancy letter/email
• other relevant evidence of what has happened.

Providing supporting evidence helps us make fair decisions and process applications as efficiently as possible.

Need urgent help?

The Heating Bank is not an emergency service.

If you are at immediate risk of being without energy, please contact your energy supplier as soon as possible.
You can also contact us using our Advice by Email service or calling Adviceline on 0808 2787 806 for advice and support.