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Crisis and Resilience Fund

What is Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)?

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is a new multi year national programme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions to help people in Gloucestershire who are facing financial hardship, while also strengthening long term community resilience. Running from Wednesday 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, it replaces the previous Household Support Fund.

The fund provides support for residents experiencing sudden financial crises, such as difficulty affording food, fuel, essential household items, or emergency living costs, and backing local organisations that offer advice, wellbeing support, and services that help people become more financially secure.


Alongside immediate help, the CRF focuses on prevention and resilience building, supporting individuals and communities to better manage financial shocks through services like debt advice, income maximisation and other early intervention support, moving toward more sustained, person centred support that reduces the need for crisis interventions over time.

Definition of a crisis under the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)

A crisis refers to a sudden event or situation that causes immediate hardship or jeopardises an individual’s or family’s ability to maintain basic safety, well-being, or financial stability. CRF guidance highlights that crisis support is intended for people facing unexpected shocks that create urgent need.

Examples of crises under the CRF

The CRF provides illustrative examples of situations that qualify as a crisis, including:

  • Floods or fires causing loss of home or essential belongings
  • Medical emergencies leading to immediate financial or practical hardship
  • Leaving an abusive relationship, requiring urgent safety and resettlement support
  • Breakages of essential household items (e.g., fridge, cooker, bed) where replacement is critical for safe living
  • Redundancy or sudden loss of income, creating urgent financial shock
  • Illness affecting someone’s ability to meet day to day essential living expenses
  • Unexpected bills, such as funeral costs
  • Change or disruption in benefit entitlement such as suspension or waiting for entitlement outcome which creates immediate shortfall

In all cases, a crisis is understood as an acute disruption that exceeds a person’s or household’s ability to cope without immediate external support.

What support is available?

The fund is available to residents of Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Cotswolds, Forest of Dean and Tewkesbury. The way support will be paid to you will depend on your circumstances.

For more information on the available support Crisis and Resilience Fund

Council Tax Support

You may be eligible for Council Tax Support through the council if you receive certain benefits or are on low income.  You can complete an online application form here or call 01452 396396

You may be entitled to an extra payment to help with the cost of living if you are getting certain benefits or tax credits.

Low-income benefits and tax credits

You may be able to get an extra payment of £650 if you get certain benefits or tax credits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits. 

This payment will be made up of two payments of £326 and £324.

This is in addition to the Cost of Living Payment you may receive if you’re also on certain disability benefits.

Income Related Benefits

Billions of pounds of benefits are believed to go unclaimed each year.

If you are on a low income or you have disabilities, or you have a long-term illness you may qualify for extra help.

You can apply to The Department for Work & Pensions online at www.dwp.gov.uk or contact Gloucester Citizens Advice Bureau for one-to-one help to do this.  

You can call them on 01452 527202, access their website at http://www.gloucestercab.org.uk/ or visit them at: 

Money Helper

Visit the government’s website for free information and advice on making your money go further https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en

Seek Advice About Debt

If you are in debt, seek advice early rather than let things spiral out of control. Contact Gloucester Citizens Advice at: 01452 527202, access their website at https://gloscab.org.uk/ or visit them at:

Messenger House
35 St Michaels Square
Gloucester
GL1 1HX

StepChange: www.stepchange.org

National Debtline: www.nationaldebtline.org

Crosslight Advice: www.crosslightadvice.org

P3 is a community-based charity which can provide support and advice regarding debt, financial skills, employment, and education: P3: www.p3charity.org

GL Communities

Free money advice, from paying off your credit card, to falling behind on rent or maybe you just need a hand with creating a monthly budget. The biggest step when dealing with debts is to get advice. Once you have an advisor on your team, creditors can be more co-operative. The money advice team also give general advice to help increase your income and reduce your outgoings. Appointments available by phone and in person. https://www.glcommunities.org.uk/debt-and-benefit

Employment Advice

National Careers Service - Free support by local experts, providing advice on training courses and CV support. Available to all households

nationalcareers.service.gov.uk

For more information contact 0118 402 2604