From 1 April 2026, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has introduced the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). This new fund replaces short-term crisis grants and brings together housing-related discretionary support.
About the Crisis and Resilience Fund
The CRF provides three types of support to Dorset residents:
Crisis payments
Emergency financial assistance for people who are experiencing a sudden financial shock and cannot afford essential living costs.
Housing payments
Short-term support for eligible residents who are struggling with housing costs. Find out more and apply for a housing payment here.
Resilience support
Alongside providing emergency financial support, the purpose of the CRF is to help residents become more financially resilient and reduce the risk of future crises.
Alongside crisis payments, Dorset Council is working with local partners to deliver resilience support that helps residents improve their financial wellbeing and reduce future crisis need.
This support includes:
- debt and budgeting
- benefits and income maximisation
- housing issues
- food support
- energy costs
- financial Education
- employment and skills
- mental health and wellbeing
Access resilience support through Dorset Council's Cost of Living Hub.
What is a financial shock?
The government guidance for CRF describes a financial shock as sudden income loss or unexpected expenses that can leave households struggling to cover basic living costs.
This can include:
- disasters: these will normally be unexpected and result in significant damage to, or loss of, household items or property, such as a serious flood or fire
- accident, health emergency or mental health crisis, leading to unplanned spending or an increase in costs
- when a resident is leaving an abusive relationship and needs immediate help, such as moving into an unfurnished property
- an essential household item being broken, for example a boiler, fridge or piece of medical equipment
- where money has been lost or stolen and living expenses are required
- when a resident has a short-term gap in regular income, for example, due to redundancy
Who can get a crisis payment?
To be eligible for a crisis payment, you must:
- live in the Dorset Council area
- be on a low income or have very limited financial resources
- have experienced a sudden, unexpected financial shock
- be unable to meet essential living costs without help
- have no savings or other means available to resolve the situation yourself
What can I use a crisis payment for?
We do not have a set list of what the payment can be used for. We decide what support we can give during your assessment.
The information you provide on your application will help us to understand your household and finances. We will need to understand what crisis or financial shock you have experienced, how this has impacted you and whether you have the means to resolve the crisis.
How to apply
This fund is to support households who do not have sufficient resources to resolve the immediate crisis, without incurring unmanageable debt or going without essentials such as food.
To apply, you will need to complete our online application form. We will ask for information about your household, If you need help to complete the application, you can ask a friend or family member for help, or if you are receiving support from another organisation, such as Citizens Advice, they may be able to help you with your application.
If you are unable to access the online form or do not have anyone who can help you complete it, you can contact Dorset Council Customer Services for support with your application.
We may ask you to provide evidence to verify your situation if required. Your application will be assessed by the Benefits Team using the information you have provided and information they hold about you.