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 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
- By 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 for the school holiday periods until the end of the academic year July 2027.
In Darlington the Crisis and Resilience Fund is being delivered in collaboration with voluntary sector partners.
Online grant 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.
To apply for the payment you must be:
- a Darlington borough resident
- liable to pay housing costs such as rent or a mortgage or be registered as homeless with Darlington Borough Council
- part of a household that has not already received a Household Support Fund award in this round
- part of a low-income household
- in financial hardship and acutely affected by the cost of living crisis or are in significant debt of £5,000 or more
- without any savings.
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 can’t get online at home, CA run IT drop in sessions every Tuesday, 1.30pm-4pm, and Thursday, 10.30am-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 Household Support Fund – Darlington | Citizens Advice Darlington, Redcar and Cleveland[external link]
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
