About the Crisis and Resilience Fund
Somerset Council has received £22.66 million from the Department for Work and Pensions, including £1.2 million to help with heating oil costs. This money will be used over three years to help local people who are experiencing a financial shock.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund is a new initiative from Somerset Council and the Crisis and Resilience Fund Alliance. It takes over from the Household Support Fund and is the first local crisis support in England guaranteed for three years. This means we can give reliable help to people who need it most.
The Alliance includes Citizens Advice Somerset (the lead organisation), Age UK Somerset, Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP), Somerset Community Foundation, Thrive, and other local groups. Together, we want to help people in Somerset feel supported and make sure everyone can get help if they need it.
How to get help
The Crisis and Resilience Fund helps Somerset residents who are struggling to pay for basics and need urgent support. It is for people facing sudden financial problems, such as losing income or an unexpected bill.
The fund can help with:
- Food and essential groceries
- Gas and electricity bills
- Other urgent living costs
Citizens Advice Somerset will talk to you about your situation, check what help is available, and help you choose the best option. This might include emergency funding, as well as advice on benefits, debt, or budgeting, to help you feel more stable.
Find out more and apply on the Citizens Advice Somerset website.
The grant is funded by the UK Government in accordance with the Funded by UK Government Branding Manual.
More information on the help that is available
- Help with Heating Oil
If you are struggling to pay for heating oil, you can apply for help. You will need to show you are in financial crisis. Details are on the Citizens Advice Somerset website. - Crisis Payments
Citizens Advice Somerset also offers crisis payments, which might be vouchers or goods, for people in urgent need. All information is on their website. - Housing Payments
If you cannot pay your Council Tax or rent due to exceptional circumstances, the fund can help. See our Claim a discretionary award page for more information. - Resilience Support
The fund also supports ongoing community help, like debt advice and budgeting support, to prevent future crises. For more information, see our Cost of living support for Somerset residents page.
Eligibility Information
Heating oil help
If you are struggling with the cost of oil help may be available.
You may be eligible for CRF heating oil help if you:
- live full time in Somerset
- use heating oil as your main way of heating your home
- have less than 300 litres in your tank
- are at risk of being unable to heat your home or access hot water
- are in receipt of universal credit or pension credit or are not in receipt of any benefits but can show you cannot afford the minimum order required for a delivery
- have limited access to savings
Crisis payments
Crisis payments may be available to offer financial support for families and residents experiencing a sudden hardship.
You may be eligible for a CRF crisis payment if you:
- Live full time in Somerset
- Are facing hardship due to an unexpected financial shock
- Have an immediate or urgent need
- Have an adult in the household that is currently entitled to a means tested benefit, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), or Housing Benefit or have a low household income
- Can show the household does not have sufficient resources to resolve the immediate crisis without missing out on essentials, incurring unmanageable debt, or exacerbating financial harm
- Have limited savings
Housing payments
Anyone getting Council Tax Reduction, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, which includes help towards housing costs can ask for this. It is a discretionary fund and as such there is no defined eligibility criteria. Each application is assessed individually.
Resilience support
Resilience support to prevent further or repeated financial difficulties is available to anyone. This help is tailored to your individual situation and could include income maximisation, debt advice, budgeting support, employment support, or other help.
