The Crisis and Resilience Fund, a national initiative totaling £800 million, will replace the former Household Support Fund starting April 1, according to government announcements. Brent Council will receive £7.8 million for the 2026/27 year, while Bradford Council will get £12.7 million per year over the next three years, council documents show. The fund aims to support low-income households facing sudden financial shocks such as job loss, unexpected bills, illness, or changes in family circumstances, government officials stated. It is designed to go beyond short-term crisis intervention by building financial resilience to reduce future reliance on emergency support, according to policy documents, and funding can be used for basic living costs like food, utility bills, and rent arrears, as outlined in the fund's guidelines.
In Brent, the council expects the CRF funding to support approximately 21,795 households in urgent need, with £1.6 million proposed for timely support to residents experiencing financial hardship, including costs associated with food, according to council plans. In Bradford, the council will deliver support through a 'no wrong door' approach, meaning residents can access help online, by phone, or in person and be guided to the right service without being passed between agencies, as detailed in council proposals.
The CRF replaces previous schemes such as Discretionary Housing Payments, government sources indicate. Mike Pollard from the opposition Conservatives at Bradford Council questioned the viability of bringing together at least a couple of dozen different strands of activity currently operating in the Bradford district. The Conservatives pledge crisis support but want to keep it temporary and controlled, avoiding long-term welfare expansion, party representatives said.