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What is a Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) payment?
Immediate financial help for people facing a short-term emergency. A crisis is when someone cannot meet essential, immediate needs because of a sudden financial shock or unexpected drop in income. It can also include emergencies such as accidents, health issues, or household breakdowns that leave a person unable to afford basics like food, heating or essential household items.
Who can get the payment?
You must:
be aged 16 or over
have had a financial shock
have no other form of immediate financial assistance, such as family or friends, employers, personal resources, or other available funding streams
Applicants not eligible
members of a religious order who are fully maintained
prisoners or those on temporary release
foreign nationals with limited immigration status
individuals with no recourse to public funds unless a community care or children's assessment has been completed
non‑economically active EU nationals
UK nationals who are not habitually resident
What does the payment cover?
The payment may cover:
energy
food
water
clothing
cookers
fridge and freezers
beds and bedding
washing machines
What the payment cannot cover
The payment does not cover:
legal fees, court costs, fines, or related expenses
removals and storage linked to compulsory purchase or rehousing
Council Tax or arrears
domestic assistance or respite care
medical, surgical or dental items
mobility needs
televisions or radios (including licences or rental)
debts to government departments or local authorities
If you cannot apply online please ring 01642 524180.
An assessment of an application will consider:
assessment of need
financial assessment - to establish whether the applicant has any alternative resources
3 months bank statements and or wage slips
What happens next?
The Welfare Support Team will look at your application and the information you have given. They will check your income and spending, and they will look at the reasons you need extra support.
An officer will contact you so please ensure you give your email and phone number.
We will make a decision within 48 hours of receiving all required evidence.
Payment awards
Cash-first payments (bank transfer, vouchers, PayPoint or similar). Cash‑first payments mean the council will prioritise giving people money directly, either digitally or physically, so they can choose and buy the essential items they need. This approach supports dignity and flexibility by allowing residents to address their crisis in the most appropriate way for their circumstances.
If you do not get a payment
If you think we have not looked at your request properly, or you have new information, you can ask us to look at the decision again. You must write to us within 1 month of the date we tell you that you do not qualify.
A different officer will look at your request and send you their decision.
