Lifeline offers struggling families help with fuel bills

Citizens Advice Cheshire West, in conjunction with the Fuel Bank Foundation, has received £25,000 from the government’s winter grant scheme.

It is expected that more than 7,000 households across Winsford and Northwich will benefit from the utilities payment support.

Cllr Carol Gahan, cabinet member for legal and finance, said: “We know how difficult the pandemic has made lives for many of our residents across the borough.

“We hope that the winter grant scheme payments will go some way to helping families and individuals with the costs of fuel and water over the winter period.”

Sean McInerny, community connector for Citizens Advice Cheshire West, said: “For the last six years we have worked with the Vale Royal Lions on our Fuel Bank appeal, helping local people to stay warm over winter. We’re very grateful to everybody who has donated their Winter Fuel Allowance or whatever they can afford so far.”

“This extra funding has never been more needed and will allow us to support many more people who are living in fuel poverty.”

To qualify for the winter grant scheme payment, families or individual households must meet one of the following criteria

Have children receiving free school meals on December 1, 2020

To qualify for the Winter Grant Scheme payment, families or individual households must meet one of the following criteria:

● Families with children receiving free school meals on December 1, 2020

● Families receiving either a housing benefit or council tax reduction on December 1, 2020 and with children below the age of four, or children between the ages of 16 and 18 inclusive.

● Individuals who have left the care of CWAC and were below the age of 25 on December 1, 2020.

To work within Covid regulations, payments will be credited directly to the prepayment meter or utility account of those who need it most using a code.

For more information call Citizens Advice Cheshire West on 0808 2787 806 or visit citizensadvicecw.org.uk