Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed details of a new cost-of-living fund that will issue payments worth hundreds of pounds to struggling households, and people do not need to be receiving benefits to get the cash.
What is the Crisis and Resilience Fund?
Households can apply for cash payments from the government's Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), which replaces the previous Household Support Fund (HSF). Applications must be made through local councils, with details available on their websites.
Support is targeted towards those in severe financial difficulty who are struggling to pay for essentials. However, households should not assume they need to be claiming benefits to be eligible. While prioritised applicants may be receiving some form of state support, it is not a requirement. Individual applications will be judged on their merits, so it is worth checking if you are concerned about finances.
Birmingham Payments
Birmingham City Council previously issued £200 grants under the HSF. The Birmingham Voluntary Service Council is now handling requests on behalf of the city council for the new fund.
A spokesperson said: "The Household Support Fund has now transitioned into the Crisis Resilience Fund. The enquiry and application process will remain the same as HSF. If you or anyone in your household have received an HSF payment within the past 12 months, you will not be eligible, and your enquiry form will be rejected."
They added: "Please be aware that if you are not currently in receipt of any support services including Universal Credit – you may still be eligible for the Crisis Resilience Fund. If you have submitted a successful enquiry since the current scheme opened from May 1, 2026, you have been added to our waiting list and a member of the team in your local area will reach out to you using the contact details provided. Please be patient as we have many applicants."
