Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)

The Household Support Fund, funded by the UK Government, has now ended.

It has been replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). This is not a like‑for‑like replacement: while the Household Support Fund focused on cost-of-living support, the CRF is aimed at financial crisis support and strengthening long‑term financial resilience.

Crisis and Resilience Fund

The Government has announced the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) to help people facing financial crisis. The CRF is funded by the UK Government and will run for three years until 31 March 2029.

This national programme provides funding to local authorities in England to:

• Support residents who cannot meet essential costs such as food, energy, or household items.
• Strengthen long term financial resilience, helping households increase income, reduce expenses, and manage financial shocks.
• Ensure support is fair, accessible, flexible, and based on individual need.

Support may include crisis payments such as cash payments, vouchers, essential household items, and access to preventative services. Councils are encouraged to work with local partners to provide joined‑up support.

We are currently developing the local scheme in line with Department for Work and Pensions guidance. This webpage will be updated as soon as more information becomes available.

Worcestershire County Council will work with district councils and voluntary and community sector (VCS) partners to deliver support across four key areas:

• Crisis Payments
• Housing Payments
• Resilience Services
• Community Coordination

Crisis Payments

Crisis Payments provide fast financial help to people facing a short‑term emergency.

A crisis occurs when someone cannot meet essential needs due to a sudden financial shock or an unexpected drop in income — for example, an accident, health issue, or household breakdown leaving them unable to afford food, heating, or essential items.

Support may include:

• Cash payments
• Energy vouchers
• Supermarket vouchers
• Essential household goods

All awards are needs‑based and assessed case‑by‑case to ensure support fits each household’s circumstances.

Support with the cost of heating oil and LPG

The Government has provided additional funding through the Crisis and Resilience Fund to support low‑income households who rely on heating oil or LPG and are struggling with rising costs. This support is designed to help people in acute need, particularly where there is a risk of losing access to heating or hot water.

If you are facing a heating oil or LPG emergency—for example, you cannot afford an urgent top‑up due to a sudden increase in prices—you may be eligible for help, in line with national guidance. Further details about the support available will be shared as soon as the local scheme is confirmed.

In the meantime, Worcestershire households on low incomes who are struggling with rising oil or LPG heating costs can access free, confidential advice and support through their local Worcestershire Advice Network (WAN) partner. WAN partners, including Citizens Advice, Age UK and the Disability Information Advice Line, can provide support through the Alternative Fuel – Oil and LPG Home Energy Support scheme.

Find your nearest WAN partner and contact details at: worcestershireadvicenetwork.org.uk

Housing Payments

Housing Payments are available if you receive Housing Benefit and/or Universal Credit and need extra help with:

• Rent
• Rent in advance or rental deposits (where other departments cannot assist)
• One off housing costs such as removal expenses

These payments are usually short term and help residents manage a specific housing related crisis.

For more information, visit our page about Housing Payments

Resilience Services

Resilience Services help households improve long‑term financial stability.

Support may include:

• Income maximisation (benefit checks, employment support)
• Debt reduction advice
• Financial capability and budgeting skills

Community Coordination

The Worcestershire Crisis and Resilience Fund partnership will work with local organisations including charities, community groups and advice services, to ensure residents can access:

• Advice and advocacy
• Food security
• Connections to specialist organisations
• Wider services that reduce hardship

Wider Cost of Living Support

Worcestershire Advice Network (WAN)

Worcestershire Advice Network (WAN) is a partnership of local agencies; Citizens Advice, Age UK and DIAL, that help with everyday problems such as benefits, housing and debt, their advice is free and confidential. They can support you to find national and local cost of living support.

Find your nearest WAN partner and contact details at: worcestershireadvicenetwork.org.uk

They may offer drop-in clinics or attend local events. Visit their ‘Contact Us’ and ‘News and Events’ webpages for more information.

More information about national and local support is available visit our Cost of Living Support webpage