The new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is now open for applications, offering hard-up households help with essential living costs such as food, gas and electricity. The emergency support scheme was announced under Andy Burnham and new Chancellor John Healey, and is intended to replace the previous Household Support Fund (HSF).
Under the CRF, households are being invited to come forward directly to apply for support. Crucially, applicants do not need to be claiming benefits to be considered. Anyone can apply, although those facing the most urgent financial pressure will be prioritised.
How the Crisis and Resilience Fund works
The CRF is a localised scheme, meaning each council operates its own version of the fund and sets its own payment amounts. In practice, this means that the amount a household can receive, and the exact eligibility criteria, may vary depending on where they live.
To apply, residents are being told to contact their local council and search for “Crisis and Resilience Fund”. Councils should provide details on when and how to apply, how much funding is available locally, and what information applicants need to provide.
Who will be prioritised for the £200 payments?
While the fund is open to all, officials have made clear that those in most urgent need of financial support will be treated first. That is likely to include parents with young children, vulnerable pensioners, and other households who are struggling to meet basic costs.
The transition from the Household Support Fund to the Crisis and Resilience Fund is designed to continue providing a safety net for families and individuals who have been hit by the cost-of-living crisis. Many councils have already been running similar schemes, and the new fund is expected to follow the same application process.
Birmingham’s £200 grants and council support
In Birmingham, the city council has previously distributed £200 grants to eligible households under a similar cost-of-living support scheme. The Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) handles applications on behalf of the city council, and has confirmed that the process will remain largely unchanged.
A spokesperson for Birmingham Voluntary Service Council said: “The Household Support Fund has now transitioned into the Crisis Resilience Fund. The enquiry and application process will remain the same as HSF. 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.”
Why the Crisis and Resilience Fund matters
With energy bills and food prices still putting pressure on household budgets, the reopening of a dedicated support fund provides a targeted route for residents to get financial help. The fund is designed to be flexible, allowing councils to respond to local demand and direct money to those who need it most.
For residents who are unsure whether they qualify, the advice is to check with their local council directly. There is no central application portal; instead, each council manages its own allocation. This means that even people who have previously been refused help under other schemes may now be eligible under the CRF.
What applicants should have ready
Although the exact requirements will be set by each council, applicants should typically be prepared to provide proof of identity, evidence of income or benefit receipt, and details about their current living situation. Councils may also ask for information about any outstanding bills or debts, as this can help them assess the level of urgency.
Residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as funding is finite and councils may allocate money on a first-come, first-served basis once the most urgent cases have been considered.
Support for those not claiming benefits
One of the key changes with the CRF is that it is explicitly open to households who do not receive Universal Credit or other benefits. This widens the safety net to include working families, self-employed people, and others who may have fallen through the gaps in previous support schemes.
The message from councils is clear: anyone who is struggling should not assume they are ineligible. The official guidance states that the scheme is available to all, and that prioritisation will be based on need rather than on whether someone is already receiving state support.
How to find out more
Residents who want to apply for the Crisis and Resilience Fund should start by visiting their local council’s website or calling their council’s customer service line. Searching for “Crisis and Resilience Fund” should bring up the relevant page with application details and local contact information.
For those in the Birmingham area, the BVSC remains the key point of contact. The organisation has said that the enquiry process will be the same as it was under the Household Support Fund, and that residents who are not currently receiving support services may still be eligible.
As the cost of living continues to affect households across the country, the Crisis and Resilience Fund represents a direct and practical form of assistance. With grants such as the £200 payments offered in Birmingham, it is likely to make a significant difference for families and individuals who are otherwise struggling to keep up with rising costs.
