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Applying for a crisis payment

Before you apply

Please read this information carefully before submitting your application.

If you have previously received funding from the Household Support Fund (HSF), this does not mean you will be eligible for the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).

The CRF provides short-term support for households facing an immediate financial crisis caused by something unexpected, such as:

  • An emergency 
  • A health issue
  • A breakdown in the household

The fund is for essential, immediate needs only. It is not intended for routine or ongoing expenses.

The CRF is not a replacement for reduced or lost benefits (for example Universal Credit or PIP).

All applications are assessed based on your individual circumstances at the time.

Make sure you have all required documents ready before applying.

Do not submit your application without evidence. Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

When not to apply

Please only apply if you are experiencing a genuine financial crisis and cannot meet essential, immediate costs.

Your application may not be successful if:

  • There is no evidence of financial hardship or crisis
  • The request duplicates support already provided
  • The need could be met through a more appropriate scheme or statutory support
  • You do not live in Herefordshire 
  • The situation is due to avoidable financial difficulties or unnecessary spending
  • The request is not directly related to a crisis
  • You have not followed previous advice or support offered to improve your situation
  • There is not enough information or evidence to assess your application

How to apply

All applicants must complete the online application form.

Residents who are digitally excluded can access support and complete an application by calling customer services on 01432 260000, or emailing crisisresiliencefund@herefordshire.gov.uk

You can apply yourself or someone can apply on your behalf (they will need to provide additional information and proof of identity).

Crisis payment application form

What happens next

After you submit your application and supporting evidence an officer will contact you to gather more information.

If you have not submitted the required evidence, you will have 5 working days to do so before the case will close. You may submit another application in this instance.

Additional support

If you are not eligible, you can still receive support. You will be offered access to an advisor who can help with:

  • Increasing your income
  • Benefits advice
  • Debt management
  • Other wellbeing support

By applying, you may also be referred to resilience support services to help improve your longer-term financial situation.

Other information 

We receive a high number of applications and aim to process them as quickly as possible.

Due to the high number of submissions we receive, we will not be able to respond to emails requesting updates on applications.

To understand how your information will be used and stored, please view our privacy notice. Find out what other support is available to help with the cost of living. This includes income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel.

Fraud statement 

By completing the application or accepting the grant, you are confirming that you are eligible for the grant. If your eligibility circumstances change after making an application or receiving this grant, you must notify us immediately.

Herefordshire Council will not accept deliberate manipulation or fraud, and any instances will be actively investigated. Any individual who falsifies their records or dishonestly provides inaccurate information to gain a grant will face prosecution. The council reserves the right to recoup funds or grant awarded equipment and claw back any grants given in error.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with fraud prevention agencies who will use it to prevent fraud and money-laundering and to verify your identity. If fraud is detected, you could be refused certain services, finance, or employment. Further details of how your information will be used by us, fraud prevention agencies, and your data protection rights.