Fri, 16 Jan 2026

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 Government to give cash payouts to people in financial crisis

The replacement to the Household Support Fund aims to help people facing sudden difficulties.

* A new funding scheme, the Crisis and Resilience Fund, will provide £1 billion annually for three years to support people on low incomes in England.
* The fund will allow individuals to apply for emergency cash through their local council, regardless of whether they receive benefits.
* Councils can give money to people experiencing a "sudden, unexpected expense or drop in income", such as a broken boiler or loss of a job.
* The scheme replaces the Temporary Household Support Fund and is intended to help prevent people from entering crisis and reduce reliance on emergency food parcels.
* Councils will be able to plan their support schemes over a longer period due to the guaranteed three-year funding.
* The cash element of the fund means that councils can provide direct access to cash, rather than vouchers or other forms of assistance.
* Some charities, including Barnardo's and the Trussell Trust, have welcomed the new scheme as a step towards reducing poverty and ensuring no one is forced to rely on food banks.
  >>