Crisis Resilience Fund 2026 | Help with cost of living

The Government has replaced the Household Support Fund with the Crisis Resilience Fund.

With the cost of living rising at nearly the fastest rate in 40 years, recent years have been a challenging time for many households across the UK. Six in ten people in the UK have had to make cuts to their usual spending due to the cost of living, according to YouGov and nearly a quarter of Britons said they often struggle to make ends meet.

What is the Crisis Resilience Fund?

The Crisis Resilience Fund is replacing the Household Support Fund. It is designed to help vulnerable households cope with ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

This includes older people as well as those who are near poverty or disabled.

Like the Household Support Fund, it will provide targeted assistance for essentials such as food, energy, and other basic needs. However, the Crisis Resilience Fund places a stronger emphasis on longer-term stability, as it is aimed not just at giving emergency relief but to help households build resilience against future crises.

It represents a shift from short-term emergency support toward more sustainable, preventative help for those most at risk.

The fund will run from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029.

Who can get Crisis Resilience Payments?

Crisis Payments are for short-term or one-off emergencies. They are not meant to replace a regular income. If someone cannot get a Crisis Payment, local authorities should try to help them through Resilience Services instead.

When deciding whether to give a Crisis Payment, authorities should look at whether the person is in urgent need and requires immediate help to avoid serious problems. This can include not having essentials like food, heating, shelter, or basic items such as furniture or energy. It doesn’t matter what caused the situation or whether it could have been prevented.

A sudden financial shock, like a broken appliance, an unexpected bill, or changes to transport, can push a household into crisis.

There is no fixed list of what counts as a crisis. Local authorities will decide based on each situation, but examples include:

• Major events like floods, fires, or other disasters causing loss or damage
• Emergencies such as accidents, physical or mental health issues leading to extra costs
• Leaving an abusive relationship and needing essential items for a new home
• Essential items breaking, like a boiler or medical equipment
• Money being lost or stolen, leaving someone unable to cover basic costs
• A temporary loss of income, for example due to redundancy or reduced working hours

Do you have to be on benefits to be eligible?

The Fund is designed to support a wide range of low-income households, not just people receiving benefits.

Local authorities can decide who qualifies for Crisis Payments, including what counts as ‘low income’ in their area. This flexibility allows them to take a person-centred approach and respond to individual needs.

How do I apply for the Crisis Resilience Fund?

Your local council should provide guidance on how to apply for the Fund.

They should also offer ways to apply that don’t require going online, such as by phone or in person.

What was the Household Support Fund?

People really struggling to afford the basic essentials such as energy and food could get financial help with this from their local council.

Families were also able to get food vouchers to help with costs during the school holidays..

The Household Support Fund was originally launched in October 2021. It was set to end in September 2024 but was extended to 31 March 2026.

Who was eligible for the Household Support Fund?

The Household Support Fund was for anyone who was vulnerable or unable to pay for essentials such as food and energy. It was also used to pay for other items including phone bills, clothing such as school uniform, period products or help with essential transport such as buying a bike or repairing a car.

Help with cost of living in Scotland, Wales and N Ireland

Scotland

In Scotland, you can get financial assistance from the Scottish Welfare Fund in the form of Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants and from Discretionary Housing Payments.

There is also the Fuel Insecurity Fund which supports people with energy costs,

Wales

People who are struggling in Wales can claim Emergency Assistance Payments (EAPs) for essential items, such as food or energy, and Individual Assistance Payments (IAPs) for essential household items, from the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF).

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, you can get financial help from Discretionary Support Payments and Additional Financial Support Grants

What other financial help can you get with your energy bills?

Winter Fuel Payment

Winter Fuel Payment is a yearly payment to help with heating costs, usually £200 or £300 depending on your circumstances.

It used to be available to everyone of State Pension age, but it is now means-tested. You can only get it if you receive certain benefits, such as Pension Credit or Universal Credit.

If you live in Scotland, you may be eligible for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead.

Cold Weather Payment

Cold Weather Payments help with heating costs during very cold weather. You can get £25 for each 7-day period of freezing temperatures between November 2025 and March 2026.

You may qualify if you receive certain benefits, such as Pension Credit or Universal Credit.

If eligible, payments are made automatically within 14 working days into the same account as your benefits.

Affordable Warmth Obligation

The Affordable Warmth Obligation provides financial help for energy-saving home improvements, such as insulation or boiler repairs/replacement, to reduce household costs.

You may qualify if you:

• live in social housing, or
• live in private housing and receive benefits such as Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, or Pension Guarantee Credit.

Eco Scheme

The ECO scheme, part of the government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), helps low-income households pay for energy-efficient home improvements.

You may be eligible if you receive benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, or Housing Benefit.

Fuel Direct Scheme

The Fuel Direct Scheme (also called third party deductions) lets you have energy bills paid directly from your benefits, helping with budgeting or paying off debt.

You may qualify if you receive:

• Universal Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit

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