New crisis and resilience fund to support people in financial hardship

Wiltshire Council is making preparations to deliver the Government’s new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) locally – a major three‑year national programme designed to support low‑income households facing financial challenges.

The CRF represents a significant change in the national welfare landscape. It will replace the Household Support Fund (HSF) from 1 April 2026, marking a shift from emergency-only interventions to a more sustainable approach to financial wellbeing.

Wiltshire Council will receive £13.4m over the funding period: £4.4m in 2026/27, £4.4m in 2027/28, and £4.6m in 2028/29. The CRF will enable the local authority to expand local support services that help residents manage crises, stabilise household finances, and reduce repeat hardship. A full delivery plan is expected to be in place later this year.

In addition, the government confirmed that Wiltshire Council has been allocated an additional funding of £783,725 through the Crisis and Resilience Fund to provide targeted support for households that rely on oil heating. Oil has seen a significant spike in cost recently due to global events, and that’s why the government has provided additional support for those affected by this specific issue. Households that heat their homes with oil are not protected by the national energy price cap, meaning they can be more quickly affected by rising energy prices.

The CRF includes four key components, each designed to address both immediate need and long-term financial resilience:

1. Crisis payments

2. Housing payments

3. Resilience services

4. Community coordination

The council is currently gathering local data and evidence to ensure its CRF programmes target residents most in need and integrate seamlessly with existing services. The crisis payment application system will be operational from April 2026, with other components phased in after that.

The council currently operates a Local Welfare Provision (LWP) scheme that provides emergency assistance with food, fuel and essential white goods. As a result, the LWP scheme will come to an end on 31 March 2026, as its core function will be fully replicated and strengthened through the crisis payments element of the CRF. Consolidating crisis support within the CRF will therefore provide a single, streamlined and more effective mechanism for delivering urgent financial assistance, benefitting both residents and the council. From 1st April, customers will be able to apply for crisis payments through an online form available on the council’s website, or alternatively, people can contact the council’s Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub on 0300 003 4576, where trained advisers are available to offer support, information, and guidance.

From 1st April, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) will also be replaced by the housing payments strand of CRF. From 1 April, the application process for housing payments will continue exactly as the previous Discretionary Housing Payments DHP scheme worked. Application forms can be downloaded from the council’s website at Extra help with rent - Wiltshire Council.

Cllr Mel Jacob, Cabinet Member for Communities and Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “The introduction of the Crisis and Resilience Fund means that the previous short-term fixes brought in through the Household Support Fund will be replaced by a longer-term, preventative approach.

“The assurance of funding for three years gives us the opportunity, alongside our partners, to put further infrastructure and programmes in place that will support those who need it most, helping to strengthen the resilience of our communities and empowering them where we can.

“Crucially though, those who find themselves in crisis and need urgent support can still get it through the new scheme.”

Cllr Jacob also commented on the additional funding being provided for those on oil heating, she added: “We welcome the government’s announcement (on 16 March 2026) confirming that Wiltshire Council has been allocated additional funding of £783,725 through the Crisis and Resilience Fund to provide targeted support for households that rely on oil heating. 

“However, if any other funding becomes available for additional energy support, then we will keep people informed. The overall Crisis and Resilience Fund is there to support people in immediate crisis and to enable us to put the infrastructure in place for long-term preventative support, and that’s what we’re committed to doing.  

“We will ensure this additional funding offers meaningful and timely support to those who need it most. 

“We are currently working through the arrangements for delivering this additional support to eligible households. Further details, including how residents will be able to access the funding, will be confirmed and published as soon as the process is finalised.” 

A report on the council’s approach to implementing the Crisis and Resilience Fund locally was presented at its cabinet meeting on 17 March. The agenda and full report can be found at Agenda - Democratic Services - Wiltshire Council.

More information about the Crisis and Resilience Fund can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/crisisandresiliencefund

Anyone experiencing immediate financial hardship is encouraged to contact the Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub on 0300 003 4576 or email wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk.