Crisis and Resilience Fund
The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and runs from the 1 of April 2026 until 31 March 2029.
The fund helps people after a sudden money problem and stops things getting worse.
Support is given based on need, not on who applies first.
Aims of the fund
The Crisis and Resilience Fund in Staffordshire aims to:
- help people quickly so that small money problems do not become big crises
- help people cope better if something unexpected happens again
- reduce the need for emergency support in the future
- connect people to the right local support, such as advice services and community organisations
How we do this
Our aim is to make sure people feel supported, understood, and able to move forward, not just get through a short‑term crisis.
We will do this by:
- working closely with local services, charities and community groups
- making it easier for people to be referred to the right support at the right time
- joining up support so people do not have to keep telling their story
- helping people feel more confident managing their money and staying independent
Types of support available
The CRF is made up of four key strands:
1. Crisis Payments
Providing short term emergency financial support for people in crisis, for essential items such as food and fuel
2. Housing Payments
Offering financial assistance to households experiencing a shortfall in their housing costs, helping prevent homelessness or housing instability.
3. Resilience Services
Support services that help people:
- manage their money
- become more stable
- stay independent
These services are provided by local councils or other organisations.
4. Community Coordination
Strengthening and financially investing in local communities by bringing together voluntary and community sector organisations to support individuals.
Other help you may be able to get
You may also be able to get support from other services, including:
Help with money and benefits
- Benefit calculators - check what benefits you may be entitled to using calculators such as Better Off Calculator or Turn2us Benefits Calculator
- Citizen’s Advice - Citizens Advice - free, confidential, and independent advice on a vast range of issues, including debt, benefits, housing, employment, and consumer rights.
- MoneyHelper – MoneyHelper - free and impartial help with money, backed by the government.
- StepChange – StepChange - free and non-judgemental debt advice and support to people across the UK
Help with the cost of living
- Here to help - Cost of living support - on these pages you will find information, advice, and support to help you manage cost of living pressures.
- Help for households - get government cost of living support - view the Government's website to see what cost of living support you could be eligible for.
- Community energy groups - community energy groups - Community resource – use heating oil? Save money, time and stress – join one of our community energy groups now.
- Find ways to save money in your home - GOV.UK - if you own a property in England or Wales you can get recommendations for home improvements that could make your property cheaper to heat and keep warm.
Help for families and children
- Free school meals - Applying for free school meals - find out who can apply for free school meals, what the eligibility criteria are, and how to make an application online.
- Holiday Activities and Food - Holiday Activities and Food - fun, food and support for children during school holidays.
- Breakfast clubs – Morrisons partners with Kellogg's to extend Breakfast Club - free breakfast opportunities for every school holiday.
Wider family support
- Family hubs - Family hubs - family hubs bring together a range of services to support families, making it easier to access the help you need.
- Social media for local family hubs - we use the following social media pages to advertise services and activities. These are for families with children aged 0 to 19 and young people aged up to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND):
- Family support services - Family support services - family support services help for children, young people and their families to access the guidance, practical help and early support.
- Family Fund - Family Fund - the UK's largest grant-making charity for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child, on a low income.
Extra support
Other organisations that may be able to help include:
- Shelter - Shelter England - find out where you could get money or help if you need it quickly.
- Age UK - Age UK - support for older people to help with managing finances, arranging care, and getting support.
- Trussell - Trussell - access a range of advice and support in the UK, including helplines and guidance on social security payments and grants that may be available to you.
