Government’s £13.18 million Crisis and Resilience Fund for North Northamptonshire’s eligible residents - to be discussed at Executive Meeting
02 April 2026
North Northamptonshire Council will locally deliver the Government’s Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) from April 2026 to March 2029.
The fund replaces the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments with one three-year pot of money that will be used with the aim to provide ‘fast crisis help’ and ‘strengthen longer-term financial resilience.’
The Department for Work and Pensions requires councils to deliver local welfare using a cash first, person-centred and needs based approach.
North Northamptonshire Council will receive £13.18 million over three years to run the scheme. These payments are split as follows:
- £4,361,363.10 in year one (2026/27)
- £4,359,203.39 year two (2027/28)
- £4,460,291.59 in year three (2028/29)
The exact use of the fund will aim to reduce material deprivation; reduce emergency food use; increase household income through benefit take-up; reduce priority debt; support safe and stable housing; lower repeat crisis applications and strengthen the local VCSE sector.
At the next Executive Meeting at Corby Council Chamber, Members will discuss detailed proposals around how this money will be spent locally, how it will support residents and which residents will benefit from the scheme.
In line with the national requirements, North Northamptonshire will propose to deliver as follows:
- Crisis Payments – fast, cash-first help for urgent essential needs.
- Housing Payments – support with rent shortfalls, deposits and essential tenancy costs (including administration).
- Financial Resilience Services – income maximisation, debt and budgeting advice, energy support and tenancy sustainment pathways.
- Community Coordination – Warm Spaces, assisted digital access and local voluntary, community and social enterprise co-ordinated wrap around support that widens access to a range of early help.
The Financial Resilience Theory of Change, a piece of work which was co-produced between December 2025 and March 2026 with residents with lived experience of poverty and deprivation, identifies six priority outcomes for North Northamptonshire:
- improved confidence in managing money
- better access to support
- fewer barriers to financial stability
- reduced debt
- increased income
- improved mental wellbeing
The proposed Crisis Resilience Fund model of delivery in our area directly supports these outcomes.
We want a model that will be simple, fast and fair, one that supports residents in genuine crisis and helps them to build longer-term financial resilience and stability.Cllr Greg Wilcox, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive member for Communities
We also hope the fund will help to contribute to reduced deprivation and longer term increased economic prosperity for our residents. The proposal will be carefully considered to make sure it meets these expectations.
We already know, and now local evidence supports this, that financial pressure is often linked to low income, debt, poor health, insecure housing, digital exclusion and high travel costs.Cllr Martin Griffiths, The Leader of North Northamptonshire Council
Residents have told us they need clear access to support, fewer repeated processes and earlier help that links crisis payments with income maximisation, debt advice and mental wellbeing support.
Let's do all we can to make this happen and support our residents who are most in need.
All applications will follow clear eligibility criteria developed in line with National Department of Work and Pensions guidance and best practice. Residents will have more than one way to apply, including assisted digital support.
Information will be available in plain English and accessible formats.
Once approved and the detail and logistics are in place applications for support will open in July.
Applications must be accessible, decisions must be proportionate and warm referrals must link people to wider support. It will run all year round for the three year period, with more than one way to apply, and with simple evidence requirements.
The target to deliver Crisis Payments within 48 hours is only for urgent cases when councils receive a completed application, with all relevant evidence and information included.
Funding for Households who rely on heating oil
In England, the Government has confirmed that support for households who rely on heating oil will be distributed by local councils through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). This comes after oil prices surged due to the current conflict in the Middle East, with some rural residents reporting their heating bills have doubled.
Heating oil is not protected by the Ofgem energy price cap, which means households using kerosene feel price increases much faster than those on mains gas or electricity. Rural areas—including parts of North Northamptonshire—are among the most affected.
The funding will be targeted at low income and vulnerable households who use heating oil as their main source of heating, particularly in rural communities. North Northamptonshire residents who heat their homes with oil will be able to apply through the CRF Single Front Door once the scheme opens.
The Executive Meeting will take place at the Council Chamber, Corby Cube, George Street, Corby, NN17 1QG on Tuesday, 14 April at 10am.