The UK Government, through the Department of Work and Pensions, has introduced the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) for local authorities for the period from April 2026 to March 2029.
The CRF is intended to provide timely and effective support to residents who experience a financial shock and find themselves in financial crisis. CRF also aims to strengthen long‑term financial resilience and reduce the need for crisis support in the future.
Residents of Sandwell who are experiencing financial hardship, will be able to access support through a range of schemes under the CRF
This includes:
- Crisis support to manage short‑term emergencies
- Support for households that rely on heating oil for their home heating
- Support with essential household items, including white goods and beds
- Support with housing costs
- Access to services delivered in partnership with local voluntary, community and faith organisations to help households improve their financial security and resilience
- Exceptional cost support
We are currently designing the Sandwell Crisis and Resilience scheme to ensure we provide the right support to residents most in need. As a result, key elements of the scheme will be available later in 2026, with further developments going live throughout the year.
All awards are discretionary, there is no automatic right to receive a payment. Every application is assessed, including your household income, essential expenditure, accessible capital, your needs and underlying issues. Support is offered when a household does not have sufficient resources to cope with the immediate crisis without incurring unmanageable debt or going without essentials such as food.
There is more information on the support available through the links below:
- Crisis Payments (formerly known as Discretionary Housing Payments) (if you're struggling with your rent)
- Crisis support from what was known as the Local Welfare Provision (emergency financial help, food vouchers, furniture and white goods)
- See how we've previously allocated the Household Support Fund
