Crisis and Resilience Fund

The Crisis and Resilience Fund will run from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2029

This fund provides local authorities with a multi-year settlement to replace the Household Support Fund and now includes Discretionary Housing Payments.

The fund's dual purpose is to provide a safety net for low-income households facing immediate financial shocks and to invest in building long-term financial resilience to reduce future crisis needs.

The new fund is intended to:

offer short‑term crisis support to people on low incomes
help with unexpected financial pressures, such as household emergencies, loss of income, or utility costs
provide councils with funding to support crisis assistance, housing‑related help, and work with partner organisations
help residents become more financially resilient
focusing on recovery and stability. The fund aims to reduce the risk of repeat crises, helping residents build greater financial security and cope better with future shocks

For more information on the other cost of living support available, please see the Government's Cost of Living Hub [external link]

Support to families with children eligible for free school meals:

All Free School Meal payments will be managed by individual schools.
A weekly payment will be made for each eligible child until summer 2026.

In Darlington the Crisis and Resilience Fund is being delivered in collaboration with voluntary sector partners.

Crisis Fund application

Citizens Advice Bureau Darlington, Redcar and Cleveland (CA) are supporting people who have been affected by the cost of living crisis and may be in significant debt or experiencing financial shock.

You can apply for payment if all of the following apply:

you live in the borough of Darlington
you are responsible for housing costs such as paying rent or a mortgage, or you are registered as homeless with Darlington Borough Council
no one in your household has already received an award this year
your household is on a low income
you are in financial hardship and have been severely affected by the cost of living crisis, or have significant debts of £5,000 or more
your household savings are less than £6000.

If you think you are eligible you have until 31 March 2029 to apply but it is best to apply as soon as possible. You should apply online. [external link]

If you do not have internet access at home or need help completing the form, CA run IT drop in sessions. These take place every Tuesday, 1.30pm to 4pm, and Thursday, 10.30am to 1pm, at their office on Church Row. There is also free computer access at the town’s libraries.

CA will email you to let you know if your application has been successful. You can find out more about the scheme online at Citizens Advice Darlington, Redcar and Cleveland [external link]

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)

We may also be able to help with your rent. Read more about DHP and housing payments

Additional support

Money advice information on the council’s website.

If you feel you are in need of additional support please contact Darlington Connect.

Darlington connect is based in the town centre at 6 Northgate (next to Costa Coffee). Call in Monday to Friday 9am to 3:30pm

You can get support such as:

access into health and wellbeing services
referrals into a range of specialist support agencies
cost of living advice
community engagement