The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) was introduced in April and replaced the Household Support Fund. Its purpose is to support low-income and vulnerable residents facing financial hardship. Following cabinet approval, the council is now able to extend the support available through the scheme.
The fund, introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions, is worth more than £3.8 million. It provides practical help for residents who need support with money worries, debt, housing, food, energy costs and access to advice.
The three-year scheme gives East Riding of Yorkshire Council the opportunity to make local support easier to access and better suited to residents’ needs, helping people before their situation gets worse.
Residents experiencing a financial emergency will continue to have access to immediate crisis payments from the council. This support will sit alongside personalised advice, debt support and practical assistance, helping residents to overcome immediate difficulties while reducing the likelihood of future financial hardship.
The council’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) partners help provide advice, prevention work and outreach support to residents. VCSE’s support will include help with debt management, budgeting, benefits and money advice, income maximisation, benefit entitlement checks, energy costs advice, food support, digital skills inclusion, employment, training and skills advice, and access to local wider community support networks.
Residents will be able to access housing payments to help them keep their tenancies and prevent homelessness. They will also be able to get support to deal with the causes of financial hardship and clear guidance on where to find the right help.
Councillor Nigel Wilkinson, Cabinet Member for Finance and Governance at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This fund gives us an important opportunity to improve emergency and welfare support to our communities, across the East Riding.
“These changes will keep urgent help available for residents, while also investing in advice, prevention, housing support, community support and longer-term help with money problems. This will enhance the support available and make it easier for residents to get the help they need.”
For more information, visit: Crisis and Resilience Fund
