Crisis payments from your council

Crisis payments can help with sudden or serious money problems.

You might get a crisis payment if you need cash quickly. For example, if:

• your income goes down suddenly

• you have to pay for something important

Crisis payments are part of your council's crisis and resilience fund (CRF).

Who can get a crisis payment?

You need to have a low income.

For example, you might be:

• on benefits

• in low paid work

• retired or not working

If you cannot get benefits for immigration reasons

You cannot usually get a crisis payment.

But you might get help if you are a homeless family with children.

Find out about support for families who cannot get benefits.

When could you get a crisis payment?

You could get a crisis payment if, for example:

• your money is lost or stolen

• you have a death in the family

• you have a fire, flood or burglary

• your boiler, fridge or cooker breaks

• you lose your job or your working hours go down

• you have an accident, serious illness or mental health crisis

• you are leaving an abusive relationship and need help to move

What could a crisis payment help with?

You could get a crisis payment for any emergency need. For example:

• food and water

• nappies and baby formula

• soap, toothpaste, tampons or period pads

• school uniform, warm winter clothes or shoes

• rent or mortgage arrears

• a tenancy deposit or rent in advance

• energy bills and prepayment meters

• broadband or phone bills

• beds, cookers, fridges or washing machines

• carpets, curtains and bedding

• a travel pass, bicycle, petrol or car repairs

How to apply for a crisis payment

Apply to your local council or county council. In some areas, charities like Citizens Advice run the scheme.

Our tool has:

• links to the scheme in your area

• information about other help like council tax support

Tell your council if you:

• need help to apply

• need information in another language

• find it hard to use computers or the internet

How long does a crisis payment take?

Your council website should say how long it takes them to:

• decide if you can get a crisis payment

• make a cash payment or bank transfer

It may be a few days but it could take longer.

Your council may give you a barcode or pin. Keep it safe. You can use it to get money from a cash machine, post office or PayPoint shop.

You might not get money. For example, you might get vouchers, furniture or repairs.

The money might go to someone else. For example, your landlord or energy company if you have rent arrears or debts.

Other support you could get

Your council should ask you what other help you need. For example:

• money and debt support

• a benefits check

• housing advice

• free or low cost childcare

The council might ask charities to give you this help if you want it.

You do not have to accept the extra support to get a crisis payment. But it could help you avoid problems in the future.

What if you do not get a crisis payment?

Your council should tell you:

• why your application is refused

• how and when to ask for a review

Ask for a review

Try to give more information. For example:

• a statement showing your income and spending

• a letter from a doctor, school or charity that explains how serious your situation is

Ask your council for their crisis payments policy. Check they have followed their policy.

Get help from a local councillor

A local councillor could:

• check the policy

• help challenge the decision

Some councillors run advice sessions.

Make a complaint

You can complain if, for example:

• the decision is not fair

• the council did not help you with the form

• they took too long to deal with your application

• they did not tell you why you could not have a crisis payment

• they did not tell you how to ask for a review

Complain to the ombudsman

You can complain to the ombudsman if you are not happy with your council's response.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) looks at complaints about council services. It is a free independent service.

An ombudsman complaint can take a few months.