Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF)

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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 Resilience Fund

WarningPlease note - the Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF) is not a replacement for the Household Support Fund.

The main objective of this fund is to:

give emergency financial support to residents on low incomes who are experiencing a financial shock and do not have the means to resolve it, and
help people and communities become more financially stable so they can cope better in the long-term, reducing crisis need

What is 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 help

To be eligible for a 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.

More Cost of Living Support

Alongside providing emergency financial support, the purpose of the Crisis and Resilience Fund is to help residents become more financially resilient and reduce the risk of future crises.

Alongside crisis payments, Dorset Council and partner organisations offer support with:

Debt and budgeting
Benefits and income maximisation
Housing issues
Food support
Energy costs
Employment and skills
Mental health and wellbeing

Visit Dorset Council's Cost of Living Hub to access these services

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, including the money coming into your home and the money you spend. Please ensure you provide as much detail as possible.

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.

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.

Apply now