From 1 April 2026, the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) will be launched in England. This is a new Government-funded programme that replaces the Household Support Fund (HSF) and Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP).
What is the CRF?
- the CRF is not the same as the Household Support Fund
- it is not “first come, first served”
- we look at each application to see how much help the person needs and how urgent their problem is, in line with national guidance
- we can only give help for real emergencies that need support right now, not for regular money problems
- other help is available in your area for people who are not in an emergency
The CRF provides:
- quick, flexible help for a low-income household facing immediate financial hardship
- support to help prevent future crises by helping you become more financially secure
- links to services that can help with income, debt, housing and wellbeing
- better joined-up approach with partners across Dudley so you can get the right help no matter where you ask (‘no wrong door’)
What the CRF is not:
- it is not a guaranteed payment for everyone
- it is not a replacement for benefits, such as Universal Credit
- it is not a long-term income support scheme
- it cannot pay off all debts
- it is not an emergency service for life-threatening situations (call 999 in an emergency)
Support is focused on people who need it most, based on circumstances at the time.
What do we mean by ‘financial shock’?
A financial shock is when something happens that suddenly makes it hard to afford essential living costs, for example:
- a sudden loss of income or reduced working hours
- an unexpected essential bill or cost
- a delay or change to your benefits
- illness, caring responsibilities, or a family emergency
- urgent housing problems that put pressure on your finances
