Crisis and Resilience Fund: how to apply for UK Household Support Fund replacement cost of living help in 2026
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A familiar safety net is being phased out — here’s what it means 💷
- A new Crisis and Resilience Fund will replace the Household Support Fund from April 2026
- The scheme will offer help with food, energy bills, housing and other essentials
- Unlike HSF, it will run for three years and focus on long-term financial support
- Councils across Yorkshire will run their own schemes with local eligibility rules
- Applications will be made through local councils, with support varying by area
A major shake-up of local welfare support is on the way, with the Government introducing a new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) from April 2026.
The scheme will replace the widely used Household Support Fund (HSF), which has helped millions of households through the cost of living crisis, but is designed to go further.
But what exactly is changing, and how can people in Yorkshire access support?
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What is the Crisis and Resilience Fund?
The Crisis and Resilience Fund is a new, longer-term support scheme designed to help households struggling with essential costs.
Like the Household Support Fund before it, the CRF will provide financial assistance for things such as food, energy bills, housing costs, and other essentials .
But the key difference is in its structure. The CRF is a multi-year fund running from April 2026 to March 2029, giving councils greater certainty and allowing them to plan support over a longer period.
It also introduces a broader aim: not just helping people in immediate hardship, but improving their ability to cope financially in the future.
Is it just a replacement for the Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund was introduced as a temporary measure during the cost of living crisis and repeatedly extended.
It primarily focused on short-term emergency support, such as supermarket vouchers or one-off grants.
The CRF builds on that model but goes further by combining several local support schemes into one system, introducing a stronger focus on prevention and financial stability, and giving councils more flexibility in how they distribute funds .
In many areas, it will also absorb elements of existing schemes like discretionary housing payments and local welfare assistance. So while it replaces the HSF, it is designed to be more comprehensive and longer-lasting.
Why is the system changing?
The main criticism of the Household Support Fund was its stop-start nature. Because it was extended in short bursts, councils often faced uncertainty about funding levels, making it harder to plan services or provide consistent support.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund aims to address this by providing three years of confirmed funding, allowing councils to develop longer-term strategies.
How will the fund be delivered in Yorkshire?
As with the Household Support Fund, the CRF will be delivered by local authorities, meaning councils across Yorkshire will each operate their own version of the scheme.
They will decide how funding is allocated, what types of support are prioritised, and the exact eligibility criteria.
While this local control allows support to be tailored to community needs, it also means provision may vary depending on where you live.
What kind of support will be available?
Although details will differ by council, the fund is expected to cover four broad areas:
Crisis support: Emergency help for households facing immediate hardship, such as food or fuel shortages. This may include cash payments or vouchers.
Housing support: Financial help with rent, deposits or shortfalls — particularly for those at risk of losing their home.
Resilience and advice: Access to services such as debt advice, budgeting support and help to maximise income.
Community-based support: Funding for local organisations, including food banks and charities, to provide frontline assistance.
The inclusion of advice and preventative services is one of the most significant changes compared with the HSF.
Who will be eligible?
Eligibility rules will be set locally, but the fund is aimed at people on low incomes or experiencing financial hardship.
This could include benefit claimants, such as those receiving Universal Credit or Pension Credit, working households on a low income, or people facing a sudden financial crisis, such as job loss or illness.
Importantly, support is not limited to those on benefits, and councils have discretion to help anyone they believe is in need.
How do you apply for support in Yorkshire?
There is no single national application process for the Crisis and Resilience Fund, instead, residents must apply through their local council.
In most cases, this will involve completing an online application form and providing details about income and circumstances .
Some types of support may require a referral from organisations such as Citizens Advice, social services or local charities.
In certain cases, councils may also issue support automatically to eligible households, as seen previously with cost of living payments and voucher schemes.
When does the scheme start?
The Crisis and Resilience Fund will launch on April 1, 2026, immediately after the Household Support Fund ends.
But the exact timing of applications may vary slightly between councils, as each authority rolls out its own system.
Residents are advised to check their local council website regularly for updates.
Will the Household Support Fund continue?
No, the Household Support Fund is being phased out completely, and any remaining support under the HSF must be claimed before local deadlines.
From April 2026, all new assistance will come through the Crisis and Resilience Fund.
What should you do if you need help?
If you are struggling with the cost of living, the most important step is to check your local council’s website from April 2026 onwards.
Search for “Crisis and Resilience Fund” alongside your council name to find the relevant page.
Applying early, particularly if you are facing an urgent financial issue, will give you the best chance of receiving support quickly.
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