Crisis and Resilience Fund: councils in England accept applications for help with essentials
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The Crisis and Resilience Fund replaced the Household Support Fund in England from April 2026. Each council runs its own scheme for food, energy and essential costs — check your local authority website.
By Money Guide editorial team
Updated:
Correction (24 September 2026): an earlier version of this article said the Household Support Fund had been extended for 2026/27. That was wrong. The fund's final period ended on 31 March 2026, and the Crisis and Resilience Fund replaced it in England from 1 April 2026. See our corrections log.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund gives English councils money to help residents with energy and water bills, food, essential items and housing costs. Funding covers 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland operate separate hardship schemes.
There is no single national application form. Each council sets eligibility, payment methods and application windows. Some councils share out money through local charities and community groups; some limit household applications to one per year.
You do not have to be getting benefits to apply, and a payment will not affect benefits you already get. Apply through your council — GOV.UK's cost of living help from your local council page links to the council finder.
The fund is not a substitute for benefits you are entitled to. Check Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction and supplier hardship schemes too. Our Crisis and Resilience Fund guide explains the options.