Funded through the Department of Work and Pensions, the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is a national programme providing funding to local authorities in England to help residents who are experiencing financial crisis, while also strengthening long-term financial resilience across communities.

This has replaced the Household Fund, although the two funds are very different.  If you previously received a payment from the Household Fund it doesn’t necessarily mean you will qualify for support from the Crisis and Resilience Fund, and vice-versa.

North Devon Council will deliver support in the following key areas:

• Crisis Payments
• Housing Payments
• Resilience Services
• Oil/LPG Heating payments

If you:

• Live in the North Devon District (as your main residence)
• Are on a low income eg a passported benefit or the household income is lower than essential household costs
• Not have the money, resources or access to safe and affordable credit to deal with an immediate crisis
• Facing immediate financial hardship because of the increase in Oil prices, with the risk of losing immediate access to heating or hot water

Applications can be made online which is the quickest way to apply. Alternatively, applications can be made by calling our Customer Services Team on 01271 388416  Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, or at any of our face to face offices - Locations and opening times.

Awards will be made following full assessment of the application. This will include assessment of the income and expenditure of the whole household, and any savings/access to other resources, and the impact of the sudden financial hardship or unforeseen financial shock.

Awards will be made following full assessment of the application. This will include assessment of the income and expenditure of the whole household, and any savings/access to other resources, and the impact of the sudden financial hardship or unforeseen financial shock.

Awards will be made via several methods:

• Retail Vouchers for the purchase of Food, Clothing or other household items
• White Goods Vouchers or arrangement of appliances to be delivered and installed
• Furniture Vouchers
• Energy Vouchers to top up a meter or pay a bill
• Household Support Packs – such as Warm Homes Packs, or Household Essential Packs
• Post Office Vouchers to be exchanged for cash or direct payment

Once all information needed to assess the application has been received, an email/phone call will be made to you to advise of the outcome of your application. If successful, Crisis awards will then be made within 48 hours.

The Crisis and Resilience Fund is there to help residents who are experiencing financial crisis due to a sudden, unforeseen financial shock. If your situation does not meet this criteria, or your income is too high, we may not be able award a crisis payment. Support may be available by referring you to Resilience support which can support those in financial hardship to help with the day to day cost of living.

Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payments help people who need extra help with their rent when their Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs do not meet the full value of their rent. If you are suffering severe financial hardship as a result, or your tenancy is at risk you may be able to get a Crisis and Resilience Fund payment to help towards these payments.

The government has set limits on how much Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment can be paid out in any financial year. These payments are made from a separate fund with a limited budget and are awarded as a short-term measure to help claimants experiencing difficult circumstances.

We can only make a Crisis and Resilience Fund Payment if you are in receipt of Housing Benefit or the Housing Element of Universal Credit and we believe that your circumstances call for further financial help. Each case is assessed on its individual merits. The finances and personal circumstances of the applicant are carefully considered and taken into account.

We aim to make your first payment instalment/lump sum into your bank account within 10 working days once all information needed to assess your claim has been received. Please note we may decide to pay your landlord direct depending on your circumstances. 

Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payments  are not available for the following purposes:

• You are not in receipt of Housing Benefit or the Housing Element of Universal Credit
• council tax
• for water, meals, fuel or other ineligible service charges included in your rent
• to cover any shortfall that occurs due to an overpayment being recovered
• to pay a rent that is clearly excessive
• increase in rent due to outstanding rent arrears
• certain sanctions and reductions in benefit eg. to a sanction applied by the Department for Work and Pensions in relation to seeking employment or a counter fraud punishment

No, you cannot appeal against your CRF Housing Payments decision, but you can ask us to look at our decision again.