Crisis and Resilience Fund

Crisis and Resilience Fund – from April 2026

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) replaces the Household Support Fund which ended on 31 March 2026.

This is a UK Government funded grant for the Bradford district for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029.

The CRF will be used to help people experiencing a sudden, unexpected financial shock or loss of income, whilst also helping with longer term financial resilience through greater access to welfare and debt advice across the district.

The council is scheduled to decide on the CRF delivery plan for the new scheme at the Executive meeting on 14 April 2026.

We will bring new initiatives into the programme during 2026/27.

We will keep you informed about progress and we will add more details to this webpage as further details emerge including who is eligible and how to apply.

Funded by the UK Government.

Crisis payments

Eligible residents in the Bradford District who are in crisis will be able to seek assistance by applying for a Crisis Payment. We are currently developing our Crisis Payment system which will launch later this year.

In the meantime, if you are experiencing an emergency or crisis you can apply for support with food, energy and essential household items through the following schemes:

Essential household goods

The council’s Assisted Purchase Scheme is a low cost solution for people to buy essential items such as beds, electric cookers, fridge freezers, microwaves and washing machines.

Apply for the Assisted Purchase Scheme.

Emergency fuel help

We have a limited fund that may be able to provide emergency help with prepayment fuel meter top ups.

If you have a prepayment meter, please ensure you have contacted your energy supplier to see if they can help. This information from Citizens Advice may be useful.

If you still need help and you are in receipt of one of the following benefits, please contact one of our partner advice services who can offer advice and help:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income based JSA
  • Income related ESA
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credits
  • Tax Credits

Advice Services:

If you pay for your fuel on a normal meter (one that lets you pay for energy after you use it rather than before) you should contact your fuel supplier to ask for help.

See what help has been made available for energy costs.

Housing Payments

Housing Payments replace Discretionary Housing Payments and are available from 1 April 2026. 

For more information, and to apply, go to our Housing Payment page. 

Welfare and Debt Advice Services 

The council is working with partners across the community to develop a wider and more comprehensive network of welfare and debt advice and support across the district. We will update our Benefits and Welfare Advice and Help page as more information is available. 

Additional help

Anyone in immediate need of emergency food, or low cost food, should look at the Bradford Foodbanks website for information on what is available nearby. You can search the website using your postcode.

Some foodbanks and food pantries allow you to refer yourself, others ask for a referral from an organisation that is helping you already, for example a community group, your GP or children’s school. All this information is on the Foodbanks website.

Find advice, guidance and tips on the Cost of Living Bradford website.

Check the Help for Households website for the government's full range of Cost of Living Support.

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