New £10.5m fund to help local people in financial crisis
Applications are open to a new £10.5 million fund that will help local people who are struggling to afford energy, food and water bills.
Article date: 4 June 2026
Funded by the Government's Department of Work and Pensions, the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is a national programme providing funding to local authorities like St Helens Borough Council to help low-income households experiencing financial crisis, while also strengthening long-term financial resilience across communities.
The programme's launch was approved by the council's Cabinet yesterday (Wednesday 3 June).
The fund will deliver support through four key areas:
- Crisis payments for residents facing urgent financial difficulties
- Housing support to help people stay in their homes
- Resilience services to improve long-term financial stability
- Community coordination to strengthen local support networks
The scheme will also cover items which may directly affect a household's ability to afford energy food and water, including household energy efficiencies, boiler repairs, repair or replacement of cookers or appliances, and wider essentials like household bills, clothing or essential transport.
Funding is provided by way of actual goods, fuel vouchers, e-voucher schemes, bank transfer and Post Office cash vouchers.
Those eligible for support under this scheme will not be required to pay it back and it will not be treated as income for tax or benefit purposes.
The CRF will provide funding to local support services like Citizens Advice St Helens and St Helens Carers Centre, and will also be open to local community groups that are helping to deliver preventative services and support residents who are may be less likely to seek help from the council.
The CRF is set to run for a period of three years from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, with St Helens Borough Council allocated just over £3.49m per year to deliver the scheme.
The scheme replaces the Household Support Fund, delivered locally as the St Helens Together Food and Wider Essentials Assistance Grant, in partnership with St Helens Borough Council and facilitated by Halton & St Helens VCA.
Richard Gibson, Director of Finance for St Helens Borough Council, said:
"The CRF will provide a safety net for those on low incomes who encounter financial shock or instability and will allow us to invest in building up financial resilience in our communities.
"This work will continue our established approach focused not only on immediate relief for individuals and households, but also continuing to empower local groups to work compassionately with residents and with long-term impact in mind - restoring dignity, strengthening communities, and ensuring no one faces hardship alone."
To learn more about the Crisis and Resilience Fund and check your eligibility visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/article/14868/Crisis-and-Resilience-Fund