From April 2026, UK residents will be able to request emergency funds from the CRF – the ‘Crisis and Resilience Fund’. In total, £3bn has been allocated to the fund, which, in an unusual move, will provide support in the form of direct cash payments to those who apply.
With the cost of living continuing to rise steeply, the fund is designed to help those facing a sudden financial crisis. The scheme is open to anyone – not just those currently in receipt of benefits.
What is the CRF?
The CRF is a fund that the UK government has allocated to local councils to support residents facing ‘a sudden, unexpected expense or drop in income’. This could be a change in your personal circumstances, such as losing your job, or a crisis at home, like needing to replace your boiler or washing machine.
The fund will give out up to £1bn a year for the next three years. Households will be able to apply from April 2026, at the start of the new financial year. The CRF is a replacement for the current ‘Household Support Fund,’ which was set up in 2021 to offer support during the UK energy crisis and subsequent cost-of-living crisis.
Energy bills are now much less volatile, and fixed-rate tariffs protecting customers from sudden price hikes have returned to the market. However, the cost of living in the UK continues to rise sharply, with consumer inflation from December 2024 to 2025 at 3.6%.
Top tip! Worried about rising energy bills? Switch to a fixed rate tariff and know how much you’ll be spending in 2026.
Who can apply to the CRF?
The CRF is open to anyone, not just those currently in receipt of means-tested benefits. To apply for the fund, those facing a sudden financial crisis should contact their local authority or council.
Unlike previous government cost-of-living support, the CRF offers cash payments rather than vouchers or discounts on bills. This makes it much more versatile for recipients. The funds can be used for anything from covering day-to-day living costs like groceries to paying an unexpected bill, making a repair around the home or replacing a broken appliance.
How else is the government helping with the cost-of-living crisis?
The CRF is not the only measure the UK government is taking to address the increasingly high cost of living faced by its populace.
The 2026 budget included a number of changes designed to cut ongoing bills and expenses for millions, including:
- Cutting energy bills by around £150 a year for the average household, and £300 a year for low-income households.
- Extending the 5p cut on fuel duty until September 2026
- Ending the ‘Two-Child Benefit Cap’ to support larger families
While the support is welcome, households across the UK still expect to face rising costs in 2026. From rising Council Tax rates to increased water bills, there’s a rising need for those in the UK to actively manage their bills and utilities, to make sure they are getting the best value and avoiding unnecessary costs.
