Crisis and Resilience Fund

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) has now been launched by the Government and provides assistance for low-income households who are experiencing a financial shock, or are at risk of falling into crisis.

Where appropriate, eligible residents can receive a crisis payment as part of wider support and advice.

Cases are assessed on an individual basis, as one person’s crisis may not be a crisis for someone else. The applicant’s circumstances must be fully understood. The need for help is client-focussed and should assess the financial shock to the individual or family.

Examples of eligible situations include:

• A sudden loss of income or reduced hours
• An unexpected essential bill or cost
• A delay or change in benefits
• Illness, caring responsibilities, or a family emergency
• Urgent housing issues that increase financial pressure

Support delivery

Citizens Advice branches across Hampshire are helping deliver this by:

• Ensuring applicants are eligible
• Checking that there is a crisis or emergency situation
• Confirming engagement to improve financial resilience against future shocks

Eligibility criteria

Individuals can apply if they:

• Live full time in Hampshire (Note: Southampton City, Portsmouth City, and the Isle of Wight Councils operate their own schemes.)

• Are facing financial hardship, such as inability to pay for essentials (e.g. food or fuel) or have experienced a sudden loss of income

• Have an immediate need, such as unexpected events like appliance failure or emergency housing needs

• Have an adult in the household who is currently entitled to a means-tested, passporting benefit, including:

  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
  • Housing Benefit OR
  • Have a low household income after paying essential living costs

• Can evidence that the household does not have sufficient resources to resolve the immediate crisis without:

  • Going without essentials
  • Incurring unmanageable debt
  • Exacerbating financial harm

• Have limited access to savings (less than £6,000)

Information you will need to provide

• Financial information, such as:
  • Bank statements from the last month
  • Recent income details
  • Savings information
• Photo ID and proof of address
• Proof of crisis, for example:
  • Quote for appliance repairs
  • Letter of redundancy
  • Car repair bill

How to apply

To apply for support, please visit our get advice page.

If your application is successful, Citizens Advice will work with you to provide support. Payments may be made via:

• Post Office cash exchange vouchers
• PayPoint vouchers redeemable in participating stores