Crisis and Resilience Fund

The government has announced new funding to support people who are in financial crisis. This funding replaces the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2026 and will run until 31 March 2029.

The new fund, called the Crisis and Resilience Fund, is funded by the UK government and is intended to help people cope with a sudden and unexpected expense or loss of income, while also helping to build longer term financial resilience. It also includes support towards housing costs to replace Discretionary Housing Payment.

It will provide an application process for low-income households who:

• require urgent help with fuel or food  or other living expense, including utility arrears
• need help towards the cost of buying or replacing  furniture or white goods

• need help towards housing costs

Apply for help:

Applications will be assessed on a needs-based approach. As part of this you will be asked to provide information about your need for support, and you may be referred to advice and support partners for further assistance. You can complete the relevant application forms below, if you require assistance with the completion of the form, please contact us on 01744 676789. 

• Apply for help towards fuel, food, living expenses and arrears 
• Apply for help towards the cost of buying or replacing furniture and white goods

• Apply for help towards your housing costs

Further Support and Advice: 

As part of the Crisis and Resilience Fund we will be working with, and alongside, trusted partners to increase financial resilience through a community network to ensure support and advice is delivered across the borough.  

Please see the links below for further support, advice and events in your area. 

Citizens Advice 

Additional advice and support are available through Citizens Advice who can assist with:

• Benefits Advice
• Budgeting
• Debt Management

Better-off calculator 

Our Better Off Calculator allows you to see how much benefit you may be eligible for and how much better off you might be in work or if you change the number of hours you work. 

Other free benefit calculators are also available on gov.uk. 

#sthelenstogether 

Please click here to find a summary of financial assistance and other help and support that is available to residents including advice and events in the local area. 

Food banks and food pantries 

Please click here for details of your local food banks and community food pantries. 

Other Local Support 

Other local support is also available through the Live Well directory.