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Crisis and Resilience Fund

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is a national scheme, introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and funded by the UK Government. It provides funding to local authorities in England from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029.

Purpose of the fund

The primary purpose of the fund is to support low-income households experiencing financial shocks and to strengthen both individual and community financial resilience. Local authorities have discretion over how the fund is used, in line with government guidance.
We are currently reviewing the national guidance and designing our local scheme. Please do not contact us at this stage.

The application process and support available

The Welfare Benefits Advice & Support Team will focus on providing tailored guidance to help you build financial resilience and achieve lasting improvements for long-term stability.

  1. Form Submission: Once you submit the initial form, a member of the team will contact you within two working days to discuss your circumstances.
  2. Next Steps: Depending on your immediate needs, you may speak with an advisor from the team or the Housing Department.
  3. Support Focus: We focus on practical advice. Financial support is not guaranteed; it is only offered following a complete assessment and/or establishment of a temporary crisis. Support is not automatically granted, and eligibility is based on individual circumstances and active participation with our advice and support services.
  4. Follow-up: We will contact you within 48 hours of your initial appointment or advice to follow up on your progress or discuss the next steps. Note that due to high demand, a short delay of a few days may occasionally occur.

Required Documents

To process your form, you must submit the following mandatory documents:

  • financial proof: recent bank statements.
  • benefit statement: your latest statement for any benefit you receive (e.g., Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Disability Benefit).
  • energy bill: your most recent energy bill or screenshots from your energy provider app

All submitted documents must clearly show:

  • your full name
  • your current address
  • details of your income

Financial support and assistance

  • Financial payments: If approved for financial support, you will be notified via email once the payment has been processed. We cannot provide an exact timeline for receiving the funds.
  • White goods: A voucher for white goods can be provided via email or collection from the Civic Offices in Sutton.
  • Gas and electric: We can supply vouchers for Gas & Electricity Card & Key meters.

Income Maximisation Service and budget sheets

If you are referred to our Income Maximisation Service, a completed budget sheet is required before an appointment can be booked. This requirement helps us tailor our advice to your specific situation. If you need assistance completing the sheet, please let a team member know, and they will signpost you to the relevant service. We will follow up on your case once the completed form has been returned.

You can make a referral to this service (by clicking the link below) from 1st April 2026.

For more information, please visit: GOV.UK - Crisis and Resilience Fund Guidance.

The scheme is funded by the UK Government.