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 CRF is funded by the UK Government and administered locally by Leeds City Council. The fund provides crisis support, housing support, resilience services and community coordination to help residents experiencing financial hardship or at risk of crisis.

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.

How Resilience Services support is being provided in Leeds

Leeds City Council is delivering the Resilience strand of the Crisis and Resilience Fund through council services and local voluntary and community organisations. These organisations provide practical support across Leeds and work to help residents find and access the support that meets their needs.

Support includes help with benefits, debt, budgeting, saving money, lower-cost borrowing, food and household bills. Services can also make sure people are receiving all the money they are entitled to and connect them with other help. The aim is to reduce the chance of future financial problems and help people manage their money in the longer term.

Our published plan

The council has published a plan explaining how this support will be provided, how the funding will be used and which organisations are involved. You can read the full plan in Delegated Decision D58828. This is the council’s official public record of the decision.

The services currently available are listed below. We will update this page when new services become available or arrangements change.

Who can get support

You can ask for support if you are worried about money or want help to make your money go further. You do not need to be claiming benefits or have had a crisis or housing payment to get help.

Find advice and support

Many services funded through the Crisis and Resilience Fund are listed on the Leeds Money Information Centre website. You can use the website to find free, confidential and independent help with money, debt, benefits, energy and other household bills.

Community co-ordination

We are working with local voluntary and community organisations to work together to provide support across Leeds. They will share information, strengthen links between services and help residents find the right support. They will also help residents move between the right services as their needs change.

Information in other formats

You can ask us to provide this information in another format. Printed information will also be available from local community hubs and libraries.