Skip to content Skip to nav
Accessibility statement

Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)

The CRF is designed to support low-income households who face a financial shock and to help strengthen both individual and community financial resilience.

Funded by UK Government logo
Close all Open all

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is a government scheme that starts on 1 April 2026.

It helps people on low incomes who have sudden money problems. It can also help stop problems happening again.

The fund has four parts. You may be able to get help from one or more of them.

Crisis payments

Apply for a crisis payment

Crisis payments provide short-term help for residents facing an immediate financial crisis. This could be due to:

  • a sudden loss of income
  • an unexpected bill
  • an emergency that means you cannot meet basic needs.

Support may include financial help as well as wider support such as:

  • advice
  • emergency food
  • essential household goods
  • referrals to other services.

You only need to complete one application for support.

Our assessment team will consider your circumstances and determine the most appropriate support available. This may include a CRF Crisis Payment, an Emergency Assistance award, or referral to additional support services where appropriate.

Please do not submit multiple applications for the same need. We will assess all available options through a single application process.

You are eligible to make an application if you:

  • have lived in the East Riding for over one month, and
  • are responsible for the utility bills your address, or
  • are registered as homeless with the council's housing service. This means:
    • you must have been living at an address in the East Riding for a minimum of one month before becoming homeless
    • the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) records must show your current correspondence address is in the East Riding.

Apply for a crisis payment

If you are unable to complete an application online, or need help making an application, please call us on (01482) 393939. We can assist you to apply by telephone, or arrange face-to-face support, where appropriate.

Free school meal holiday vouchers

If your child receives Targeted Free School Meals, their school will send you a voucher worth £10 for each child for each week of the school holidays listed below.

  • October half-term 2026
  • Christmas holidays 2026
  • February half-term 2027
  • Easter holidays 2027.

You do not need to apply. If your child qualifies, their school will contact you with details of the voucher.

Who qualifies?

Holiday vouchers are only available to eligible children who receive Targeted Free School Meals. This includes children in households receiving Universal Credit with annual net earned income of £7,400 or less, as well as children who meet the other qualifying benefit criteria.

Children receiving Expanded Free School Meals because their household receives Universal Credit but has annual net earned income above £7,400 will receive a free meal at school during term time. They will not qualify for these holiday vouchers.

For full details, read the Targeted Free School Meals guidance and the eligibility criteria on GOV.UK.

Using your voucher

You can use the voucher to buy groceries. You cannot use it to buy:

  • alcohol
  • fuel
  • lottery tickets
  • tobacco.

Most supermarkets accept vouchers in store only, not for online shopping.

Why has the payment reduced from £15 to £10?

The previous £15 vouchers were funded through the Household Support Fund, which ended in March 2026. Support is now funded through the Crisis and Resilience Fund. This fund has different requirements and must support a wider range of services for households experiencing financial difficulty.

We understand that school holidays can put extra pressure on household budgets and that many families rely on this support. Although the amount has reduced, eligible families will continue to receive help during the school holidays.

Each council decides how to use the funding available in its area, so support may vary. In the East Riding, the voucher is worth £10 per child for each week covered.

Future changes to holiday food support

From May 2027, the way we provide support with food costs during the school holidays will begin to change. The aim is to make sure available funding is targeted towards households most in need, while helping families access wider financial support and advice where this may help them longer term.

  • From May 2027 to September 2027, holiday food support will be provided to eligible households receiving council tax support
  • From October 2027, the current holiday voucher scheme will end. Families experiencing financial difficulty with food or other essential household costs will instead be able to apply for support through the Crisis Payments scheme.

This change forms part of the council's wider approach under the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Crisis payments provide short-term help for residents experiencing an immediate financial crisis or sudden financial pressure, including help with food and other essentials. Where appropriate, families can also be connected to financial support and advice to help address the causes of financial difficulty and reduce the risk of future crisis.

Moving to an application-based approach will mean we can consider each household's current circumstances and target support towards those who need it most. It will also provide an opportunity to identify whether families could benefit from other support, such as help to maximise their income, manage debt or access other local services. This fits with the CRF's wider aim of combining immediate crisis help with earlier intervention and longer-term financial stability.

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you can find information about applying for a Crisis Payment.

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme offers free activities and healthy meals during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays. Funded places are available for eligible children and young people from Reception to Year 11, including children receiving Targeted Free School Meals and families receiving council tax support.

Receiving Expanded Free School Meals does not automatically qualify a child for a funded HAF place.

Eligible children can access up to four funded places at Easter, four at Christmas and 16 during the summer. Places are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis. Visit the Holiday Activities and Food programme page for eligibility details and booking information.

Get extra help

If you are struggling with the cost of living, you may be able to get other support through the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Depending on your circumstances, support may be available with:

  • food and household essentials
  • energy and heating costs
  • housing costs
  • budgeting and debt advice
  • benefits and income advice.

You can also find more support through the Holiday Activities and Food programme and our Help for households pages.

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, ask for support as early as possible.

Heating oil support

From 1 April 2026, the government is giving more money through the Crisis and Resilience Fund to help people on low incomes who use heating oil or LPG.

We are working with Humber and Wolds Rural Action to give this support.

If you qualify, you may be able to get help to pay for filling your oil tank.

This support is to help with the higher cost of off-grid heating fuels.

Household Support Fund heating oil project - apply on the HWRA website

Emergency Assistance Scheme

If your circumstances mean you are not eligible for a Crisis Payment, your application may still be considered for support through the council's Emergency Assistance Scheme.

Further information about Emergency Assistance is available on the Emergency Assistance page. You do not need to submit a separate application for Emergency Assistance.

If you have already applied for a Crisis Payment, we will consider your application for the most appropriate support available based on your circumstances

Housing Payments

Housing Payments will replace Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) from 1 April 2026

Housing Payments provide short term financial support for residents who are struggling with housing costs. These payments can help prevent issues such as rent arrears or the risk of losing your home.

For further information including who can claim, what evidence is needed, and how to apply can be found at Housing Payments.

If you are unable to complete an application online, or need help making an application, please call us on (01482) 393939. We can assist you to apply by telephone, or arrange face-to-face support where appropriate.

Resilience services

Resilience services help people manage money better in the future.

This support is about:

  • building confidence with money
  • improving budgeting skills
  • helping people become more financially stable
  • making the most of your income and helping to reduce any debts.

These services may be delivered by the council or by trusted local organisations.

How financial support and advice is delivered

Local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations deliver financial support and advice across the East Riding, funded through the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Support includes:

  • welfare benefits advice and help to maximise household income
  • budgeting and debt advice
  • energy advice and support
  • housing-related support
  • support for older people, veterans and other residents who may need additional help
  • referrals and links to other local community services and support.

These services help residents manage financial pressures, maximise their income, access the right support, and reduce the risk of future financial hardship.

Community coordination

Community coordination helps build stronger local communities.

It brings together:

  • voluntary organisations
  • community groups
  • local services.

The aim is to make sure people can get the right help, at the right time, close to where they live.

Where to access help

There are many services delivered by the council or by trusted local organisations that can help residents find the right support locally.

You can find available services on the Crisis and Resilience Fund map:

Crisis and Resilience Fund map (external website)

Help for households

Our help for households section provides advice on:

  • energy
  • food
  • water bills
  • wider cost of living support
  • warm spaces
  • emergency help.

It includes links to:

  • benefit checks
  • employment and income maximisation support
  • community support services
  • advice organisations.

Food banks and community food support

Residents who need emergency food can contact their nearest food bank through the East Riding Food Poverty Alliance directory (external website).

East Riding social supermarkets and pantries are community-led initiatives. They support people experiencing financial hardship in a friendly, supportive environment, offering low-cost essential food items and household goods. Unlike food banks, you can choose your own items at social supermarkets and pantries. This helps you feel more in control and reduces stigma.

Find a social supermarket or pantry

These services are open to anyone in need, offering a practical way to top up your weekly shop without breaking the bank. Find your nearest social supermarket or pantry and learn more about how they work:

Yorkshire Energy Doctor

The Yorkshire Energy Doctor offers expert advice to help residents:

  • manage their energy bills
  • improve home energy efficiency
  • resolve issues with suppliers.

They provide free guidance on reducing energy costs and accessing available support schemes.

Accessibility and alternative formats

Information about the Crisis and Resilience Fund is available in alternative formats on request, including Easy Read, Large Print and Braille. If you need support to access this information or make an application, please contact us.

Email: accessibility@eastriding.gov.uk
Tel: (01482) 393939

You can also view the council's Accessibility Statement.

Subscribe to East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Stay updated on the latest East Riding news

We use GovDelivery to send you emails, which is secure and you can choose to stop receiving emails at any time.

Find out more in our Privacy notice.

Subscribe to East Riding News

Where to get help

You can find the right local support on the Crisis and Resilience Fund map:

Crisis and Resilience Fund map (external webiste)

Help from Age UK

Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire provides a free and confidential information and advice service for older people (aged 65+ years old), their families, carers, and partner agencies. They currently help with application forms for various benefits and grants, including:

  • Attendance Allowance
  • Carers Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • cost of living grants.

Additionally, they provide information and signposting on issues affecting older people, such as blue badges, housing, care, and grants.

Please note: Age UK cannot provide advice on Universal Credit, or to mixed-aged couples (where one person is under 65)

Contact Age UK

Email hello@ageukhull.org.uk
Call Age UK on (01482) 324 644

Citizens Advice Hull and East Riding

Citizens Advice Hull and East Riding (CAHER) is a free, confidential advice service. It is open to everyone in the community.

They provide all the facts and possible outcomes of different options, making it easier for you to make the best decisions for your situation. If needed, they also offer practical support such as:

  • help with filling forms
  • writing letters
  • negotiating with third parties, or acting on your behalf.

CAHER are trained to advise on most issues including:

  • welfare benefits
  • neighbourhood disputes
  • housing
  • education and healthcare
  • employment
  • money and credit problems
  • consumer rights
  • immigration and residency queries
  • human rights
  • family and personal issues.

CAHER also provide specialist advice services for:

  • welfare rights appeals
  • pension guidance
  • energy and utility providers
  • money advice
  • debt advice.

Send an enquiry online to Citizens Advice (external website)

Visit Citizens Advice for more information (external website)

Citizens Advice Hull and East Riding Armed Forces money advice project

Citizens Advice Hull and East Riding (CAHER) Armed Forces money advice project is a free, confidential service that provides a one-stop shop for support, advice, and guidance to serving personnel, veterans and their families.

The benefits system and payments for the Armed Forces community can be hard to understand. Recent changes mean you may not know what you can claim.

This can mean you miss out on money you are entitled to.

The CAHER Armed Forces money advice project can help you with:

  • making benefit claims
  • checking what you can get
  • dealing with sanctions
  • challenging or appealing decisions
  • overpayments

They can also give specialist help with:

  • Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
  • Armed Forces Pension Scheme
  • housing and housing support
  • grants for essential items like white goods
  • general money and support advice.

[Citizens Advice Armed Forces money advice project - enquiry form (external website0)[/external-url/hullandeastridingcab-make-a-referral/]

Visit Citizens Advice for more information (external website)

Your Money team

The council’s Your Money team can help if you are struggling to pay your rent or council tax. They will work with you to look at payment plans you can afford. This can help reduce or stop arrears, so you can stay in your tenancy can continue.

They can also:

  • check your benefits to make sure you get what you are entitled to
  • help you apply for Housing Benefit
  • help you apply for Council Tax Support
  • make sure you get any council tax discounts you qualify for.

Send an enquiry to Your Money team

For more information visit the Your Money team page

Opening times: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Visit the Age UK website (external website)

To make sure you receive the best support, you will need to give permission for your data to be shared with other providers.

Explore free booklets and online information (external website)

Alerts