The Government has announced that from 1 April 2026 until 31 March 2029 a new Crisis and Resilience Fund will be launched in England.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund will replace the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Fund and provides grant funding to local authorities in England to provide preventative support to communities, as well as assisting people when faced with a financial crisis.
The Council’s scheme will begin 1st April 2026
Set rate cost of living CRF assistance payments will be made to recipients of Council Tax Support at the following rates:
- £100 for a household with children
- £50 for a household without children
These payments will be made on Friday 17th July 2026.
Recipients of Council Tax Support who received a Household Support Fund payment in 2025 do not need to re-apply.
Housing Payments
Housing Payments replace Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) from 1st April 2026
A Housing Payment can be made to residents who are entitled to Housing Benefit and Universal Credit but need further financial assistance with the shortfall between their Housing Benefit award and their rent i.e. a top up.
What Housing Payments cannot cover
Housing Payments will not be paid for:
- Ineligible service or support charges
- Council Tax Support shortfalls
- Rent shortfalls if Housing Benefit is not in payment
- Rental charges to cover rent arrears
You can view the Council’s housing payment policy below:
How to claim
Click the claim buttons at the top of this page to claim online. If you are unable to complete the form online, you can email us at: CRF@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or phone us on 01642 774774 for further assistance.
Discretionary assistance
Discretionary assistance will also be provided from the CRF fund to residents who are in crisis and severe financial difficulty with significant debts.
The Council will be proactively contacting financially vulnerable households to offer assistance and to pathways to achieving financial resilience. A dedicated team, the CRF Team, will work with residents to provide:
- Pathways to financial resilience
- Money and debt advice
- Benefit advice
- Employment advice
- Access to education and skilling
- Debt reduction
- Purchase of essential items
- Short term daily living assistance
Emergency crisis assistance will continue to be offered through Discretionary Social Fund arrangements www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/discretionary-social-fund
This page will be regularly updated from April 2026 onwards
Frequently asked questions
Q) I want to talk to someone about the scheme
A) we are unable to accept enquiries until 1st April 2026
Q) I want to access the discretionary assistance
A) The council will contact residents that are known to be in financial difficulty. There is currently no application process to access discretionary assistance. Referrals will be made from debt teams, council departments and voluntary community sector organisations.
Q) I am in crisis and I need emergency assistance
A) The Council has a Discretionary Social Fund scheme for crisis. The information page is here www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/discretionary-social-fund
Q) I have heard the scheme will help with heating oil charges
A) Unfortunately, Redcar and Cleveland borough Council has not received any additional funding from government for heating oil assistance. If increases in heating oil costs are causing you financial crisis we will consider whether we can assist you if you make a claim using the ‘I am in crisis and I need immediate assistance’ link at the top of this page.
Q) I want a top up of my rent as Universal Credit/Housing Benefit does not cover it
A) There are Housing Payments that you may be able to claim. Use the ‘Claim a housing payment online’ link at the top of this page.
Q) I’m financially struggling in general and I need help
A) Please visit our cost of living support page www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support
