The Crisis and Resilience Fund: help from your council in England
This scheme is open and runs until 31 March 2029.
England only.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund is money the government gives to councils in England so they can help local people who are in financial crisis or at risk of one. You do not apply to the government for it — you apply to your council, and each council decides its own rules, so what you can get depends on where you live.
“From 1 April 2026, the new Crisis and Resilience Fund will be launched in England. The Crisis and Resilience Fund provides grant funding to local authorities in England to provide preventative support to communities, as well as assisting people when faced with a financial crisis. Funding for the Crisis and Resilience Fund covers the period starting 1 April 2026 and ending 31 March 2029.”
What the Crisis and Resilience Fund is
The fund is a grant from central government to local authorities in England. It replaced the Household Support Fund, which ended on 31 March 2026. The government describes its purpose as both emergency help and longer-term prevention.
“Crisis and Resilience Fund will replace the Household Support Fund and brings together Discretionary Housing Payments into a single, streamlined grant.”
“The funding will be available to Local Authorities in England from 1 April 2025 and will run until 31 March 2026.”
“This ringfenced grant will support local authorities in England to provide preventative support to communities and assist people when faced with financial crisis. The objective of this fund is both to provide a safety net for those on low incomes who encounter a financial shock, and to invest in building local financial resilience to enable individuals and communities to better deal with crises in the long-term.”
Because the money is ringfenced, councils must spend it on this purpose. But the fund is discretionary: councils decide who qualifies and what form the help takes, and the money is cash-limited, so a council can run out before the year ends.
How much money there is
The grant determination does not state a single England-wide total or council count in so many words. Our own count of Annex A of the determination — the table that lists each council’s individual allocation — shows the government allocated £858,004,578 for 2026 to 2027 across 316 councils in England. The fund is confirmed to run until 31 March 2029.
“The Minister determines the authorities to which grant is to be paid and the amount of grant to be paid as set out in Annex A of this determination.”
| Crisis and Resilience Fund: England total, 2026-27 | £858,004,578 |
|---|---|
| Crisis and Resilience Fund: Isles of Scilly allocation, 2026-27 | £19,855 |
Allocations vary enormously between councils because they reflect population and deprivation. A small district council may receive around a hundred thousand pounds; a large county council receives several million. Your council’s share is not the amount available to any one household — it funds an entire local scheme for a year.
What councils use the fund for
The exact list is set locally, but the fund is generally used for essentials rather than cash income. Common forms of help include:
- supermarket vouchers or food parcels
- help with energy and water bills, including credit for prepayment meters
- replacing an essential appliance such as a cooker, fridge or washing machine
- help with essential furniture or beds
- support with the cost of school uniform or holiday food for children
- advice and casework aimed at preventing a future crisis
Some councils pay a supplier or shop directly rather than giving you money. GOV.UK notes that some councils limit how often you can apply — for example to one household application a year.
“some limit household applications to one per year”
Who can apply
Eligibility is set by each council, so the only reliable answer is your own council’s published criteria. That said, most schemes are aimed at residents on a low income who are facing an immediate financial emergency, and most ask for evidence of your circumstances.
You usually do not need to be receiving benefits to apply, though many schemes prioritise households that are. Government guidance also asks councils to take referrals from professionals who work with vulnerable households, alongside direct applications.
“taking advice or application referrals from professionals who come into contact with vulnerable households such as social workers, keyworkers delivering early help and family support, health visitors and housing support officers”
How to apply
- Find your local council. If you are unsure which council covers you, use the council finder on GOV.UK.
- Search your council’s website for “Crisis and Resilience Fund”, “household support” or “crisis support”. Some councils still use the old Household Support Fund name.
- Read the eligibility rules and check what evidence you need before you start — usually proof of address, income and the problem you need help with.
- Apply however your council offers — councils must provide at least two application routes, such as online, by phone or face-to-face — and mention it if you have been referred by a professional such as a social worker or support agency.
- If your council’s fund is closed or fully committed, ask what else is available locally, and contact a free debt-advice charity.
“Authorities must provide a minimum of two application routes for Crisis Payments and Housing Payments, such as an online application, telephone application and face-to-face application, ensuring inclusions to those digitally excluded and with barriers to travel.”
What changed when the Household Support Fund ended
GOV.UK’s Household Support Fund guidance records that the fund began on 6 October 2021 and, after a series of extensions, ran until 31 March 2026. The Crisis and Resilience Fund replaced it from 1 April 2026. One important difference: several of those Household Support Fund extensions covered only six months at a time — one ran from 1 April to 30 September 2024 — a pattern the government has since said made it hard for councils to plan. The new fund is set out to 31 March 2029.
“This funding covered the period 6 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 inclusive.”
“The funding will be available to Local Authorities in England from 1 April 2024 and will run until 30 September 2024.”
“replacing the annual cliff-edge funding cycle with the long-term certainty councils need to plan ahead and deliver lasting change”
From April 2026 the fund also absorbed Discretionary Housing Payments in England, which councils previously ran as a separate pot to help people whose Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element did not cover their rent. Discretionary Housing Payments continue separately in Wales.
Common questions
Is the Crisis and Resilience Fund the same as the Household Support Fund?
No. The Household Support Fund ended on 31 March 2026 and the Crisis and Resilience Fund replaced it on 1 April 2026. Some councils still use the old name on their websites, but the money now comes from the new fund.
How much can I get from the Crisis and Resilience Fund?
There is no set amount. Each council decides what it awards and in what form, and many give vouchers or pay a supplier directly rather than giving cash. Ask your council what its current award levels are.
Can I apply if I am not on benefits?
Usually yes. Most council schemes are based on low income and financial hardship rather than on receiving a particular benefit, though many prioritise households on means-tested benefits. Check your council’s published criteria.
How often can I apply?
That is set locally. GOV.UK notes that some councils limit applications — for example to one household application a year — so check your own council’s published rules before you reapply.
What if my council has run out of money?
The fund is cash-limited, so councils can close their scheme before the year ends. If that happens, ask the council what other local help exists, contact a free debt-advice charity, and check whether you qualify for any of the national schemes such as help with energy costs.
Does the Crisis and Resilience Fund cover Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
No, it is England only. Scotland has the Scottish Welfare Fund, Wales has the Discretionary Assistance Fund, and Northern Ireland has Discretionary Support.
Related guides
- Household Support Fund: it has ended — here is what replaced it
- Scottish Welfare Fund: Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants explained
- Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF): emergency grants in Wales
- Discretionary Support in Northern Ireland: grant or interest-free loan?
- Council Tax Reduction: how much you could get off your bill
Information on this page was checked against the official guidance on 25 August 2026. The source page was last updated on 7 April 2026.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Money Decisions UK is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and does not arrange, recommend or introduce any credit, debt or mortgage product.