The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is funded by the government to provide support for low-income families and individuals in financial hardship.
There are two types of payments that residents can apply for. These are:
- crisis payments for those facing urgent financial difficulty
- housing payments for those in temporary difficulty
Crisis payments
Crisis payments can help with essential costs, including:
- energy and water bills
- food
- essential household items
Crisis payments are administered on behalf of Essex County Council by Southend-on-Sea City Council.
Housing payments
Housing payments (HPs) can cover the shortfall between housing benefits and actual housing costs. It only covers temporary shortfalls, not long term difficulties. To apply for a housing payment, you must also be receiving Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.
HPs can be used to pay for:
- rent shortfalls
- rent deposits
- removal cost
- rent in advance
When you apply for a HP, you will need to provide:
- your last 2 months bank statements for all accounts, showing all transactions
- proof of any debts you have listed on your application form
- an up to date rent statement showing any rent arrears you owe (if you rent from the council then you do not need to provide this)
- any medical evidence that you think supports your application
If we award you a HP, the amount of the award will depend on:
- your income and savings
- how much you spend and what you spend it on
- your needs and those of your family
- the circumstances of other people who live with you
- whether you have received a HP or a Discretionary Housing Payment in the past
- what steps you are taking to resolve your predicament
For more information about how we award payments, you can read our Crisis and Resilience Fund policy (pdf)
Extra help
HPs are generally short term awards to give you time to look at your expenditure. You should also consider looking at other organisations who may be able to help you in the longer term: