Crisis and Resilience Fund

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) also funds local services that help people build financial resilience, manage money worries and access support earlier.

The fund is provided by the UK Government and administered locally by Leeds City Council.

What support is available

The fund will provide:

• emergency financial support for residents experiencing a crisis
• help with eligible housing-related costs
• resilience services that support long-term financial wellbeing
• community coordination to strengthen local support networks

Eligibility

The type of support available will depend on your circumstances. The fund is intended to support:

• residents on low incomes
• households experiencing financial hardship or a sudden change in circumstances
• people at risk of crisis because of debt, fuel costs, food insecurity or other essential living costs
• residents who would benefit from support to improve their financial resilience

Crisis Payments

Leeds residents in crisis may be able to apply for a Crisis Payment. This support is designed for low-income residents who are experiencing a sudden financial shock, cannot afford basic essentials, or need an urgent safety net.

Apply for a Crisis Payment

If you are experiencing a financial emergency and meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply online.

Find out more about the support offered, the criteria and how to apply for a Crisis Payment.

Housing Payments

Housing Payments can provide extra financial support if you need help with rent or housing costs. You must receive either Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit to be eligible.

Housing Payments may be able to help with rent shortfalls, rent arrears, rent deposits, bonds or rent in advance where eligibility criteria are met.

Find out more about Housing Payments, eligibility and how to apply.

Resilience Services

Resilience Services help people, families and communities manage money worries and build financial stability for the future. Support may be provided by Leeds City Council services and local voluntary and community organisations.

Support may include help with benefits, welfare advice, increasing income, managing debt, budgeting, affordable credit and savings options, financial confidence and access to local support such as cooking classes. You do not need to have received a crisis payment or housing payment, or be claiming benefits, to ask for advice or support.

Many CRF-funded resilience services in Leeds are listed on the Leeds Money Information Centre website.

Community organisations interested in delivering CRF Resilience Services can find out how to apply on the Leeds Older People’s Forum.

Get money advice and wider support

If you need help with money, debt, energy, utilities or benefits, you can find free, confidential and impartial advice on the Leeds Money Information Centre website.

Community coordination

Community coordination will support initiatives that strengthen connections across the local support network. This will help organisations work together, share information and improve access to support for residents.

Information in other formats

We can provide information in other formats on request, and we will soon have an offline resource which will be available at local community hubs and libraries.