Has something unexpected made it harder to afford your energy?

The Heating Bank provides short-term help with essential energy costs for eligible households in Cheshire West and Chester.

Funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Crisis Resilience Fund, the scheme is here to support people on a low income when an unexpected change in their financial circumstances has put pressure on their household budget and made 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
• as a result, you are struggling to afford your essential 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 bill or cost
• another unexpected change in circumstances that has put pressure on your finances.

Every application is considered individually, so we will look at your circumstances and the information you provide when making a decision.

What help is available?

If your application is successful, we may be able to help with your energy costs through:

Prepayment meter vouchers

or

A digital utilities prepaid Mastercard

Heating Bank support is specifically for essential energy costs.

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.

Energy information – If you pay by direct debit or receive bills, your latest full energy bill showing your name, address and actual meter readings.

If you use a prepayment meter, a photo or screenshot showing the current balance, meter serial number and barcode. Please also include your name, address and the date written on paper next to the meter.

Evidence of the unexpected change. For example:

• a payslip showing reduced hours or income
• evidence of a change in benefits
• an unexpected bill or invoice with receipt of payment
• a dismissal or redundancy notification
• other relevant evidence of what has happened.

Evidence should normally be dated within the last 6 weeks.

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

A little more about the Heating Bank

The Heating Bank provides short-term support 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.

Awards are discretionary and based on your individual circumstances and level of need at the time you apply.
Normally, only one award per household is available until 31 March 2027.

Ready to apply?

If something unexpected has recently affected your finances and you are struggling with your energy costs, you can apply for Heating Bank support.

Please have your supporting evidence ready when you apply.

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.