Helping Residents Improve Financial Wellbeing, Skills, and Community Life

Wirral Council delivers a broad range of financial support schemes and grant programmes to help residents facing financial hardship, develop skills, or support community-led initiatives. From lowering your council tax to emergency aid, here’s a summary of the key support currently available.

Council Tax Support / Council Tax Reduction

The Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) assists low‑income residents with their Council Tax bills. As of 1 April 2025, a banded scheme applies to working-age applicants to simplify the process and provide clearer income thresholds. Pension-age recipients continue under the national scheme.

Who’s eligible?

Residents on low income.
Savings under £6,000 (working age) or £16,000 (pension age, unless receiving Guaranteed Pension Credit).

Council Tax Support is calculated based on your household income and circumstances and can cover up to 82.5% of your Council Tax under Band 1 reductions.

You can apply online, no need to create an account. A 25% Single Person Discount may also apply if you live alone. This is a good way to get money off your Council Tax bill.

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)

Although not always prominently listed on the Wirral site, support for emergency housing costs may be available through DHPs in cases where Universal Credit or other schemes don’t fully meet the need.

Important: This does not cover mortgage payments, standard rent, or tenancies deemed unsustainable.

Household Support Fund (April 2025 – March 2026)

Wirral Council has received £5.374 million from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for the delivery of the Household Support Fund Round 7 between April 2025 and March 2026. The focus is on both emergency relief and long-term support, especially during school holidays and cost-of-living pressures.

Support includes:

Small Grants Programme (£800,000): Up to £20,000 per community organisation to maintain food and welfare hubs.
Holiday and Early Years Food Packs (£1 million): Support for families with children during and outside of school term times.
Emergency Fund for Individuals/Families (£200,000): For immediate crisis needs.
Fuel & Energy Debt Relief (~£690,000): Includes prepayment support and help through partners such as Citizens Advice and Energy Projects Plus.
White Goods Provision (£150,000): Cookers, fridges, and washing machines for those in hardship (by referral only).
Housing Retention Support (£100,000): Preventing homelessness or housing breakdowns.
Income Maximisation Projects (£65,000): Services helping people to claim all eligible benefits and reduce their bills.
Support for Older People (£100,000): Delivered by Age UK Wirral, including nutrition and post-hospital support.
Vulnerable Families Support (£900,000): Partner-led initiatives for families under financial strain.
Homelessness Prevention (£400,000): Including mediation and emergency shelter access.
Advice Services (£100,000): Enhanced Citizens Advice Wirral capacity for financial, housing, and employment support.

This round of the HSF focuses on longer-term resilience alongside emergency provision.

Emergency Financial Support Scheme

For residents aged 16 or over facing a crisis (e.g. after leaving care, prison, or hospital), emergency help is available for:

Food and utilities.
White goods, bedding, clothing.
Medical essentials, emergency transport, and veterinary costs.

Note: This scheme does not cover cash payments, funeral or maternity costs, ongoing rent, or landlord responsibilities.

Expect decisions in 2 working days for food/utility cases and 5 days for others.
Call 0151 606 2005 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm).
For out-of-hours emergencies, contact the Emergency Duty Team: 0151 677 6557

Heating & Renovation Financial Assistance

Eligible low-income homeowners and tenants (receiving Council Tax Support) can apply for:

Grants up to £10,000 (homeowners).
Grants up to £5,000 (tenants).
Supplementary loans of £10,000–£20,000 for major repairs.

These can cover urgent heating system repairs, damp treatment, insulation, and other critical works. Applications are handled by the Council’s Private Sector Housing Team.

You may also qualify for national home energy support:

Through the ECO4 and Great British Insulation Scheme, some households can access free energy upgrades like insulation or heating system improvements, potentially saving hundreds per year. If eligible, we’ll walk you through the process, assist with your application, and arrange a trusted installer.

Not sure what your EPC rating is?

Your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) affects which schemes you can access.

Check or order a new EPC in seconds

Community Grants – Wirral Together Fund (Until March 2026)

Local councillors oversee the Wirral Together Fund, offering grants of up to £1,000 per ward councillor to support community activity in their areas. Projects should enhance wellbeing, inclusion, or neighbourhood pride and can span one or more wards.

For tailored advice or application help, call 0151 606 2005, or contact Citizens Advice Wirral ‘Ask Us Wirral’ service: 0808 278 7848.

One Last Thing

Wirral Council is committed to supporting residents through practical, timely, and life-improving help — whether you’re dealing with financial hardship, housing difficulties, or community challenges. If you or someone you know could benefit, reach out. The right support could make all the difference.