Grants and Hardship Funds: Emergency Help You Usually Don't Repay

Last updated: 11 June 2026Checked against primary legislation on legislation.gov.uk

If you're facing a sudden financial crisis, can't afford food or energy, or have an unexpected essential cost, there's a network of grants and hardship funds that can help, most of which you don't have to pay back. This guide brings together the schemes available across the UK in 2026, including the new Crisis and Resilience Fund that replaced the Household Support Fund, the devolved welfare funds in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, one-off help through the benefits system, and charitable grants. It explains who qualifies and exactly how to apply.

Key points

✓The Household Support Fund ended on 31 March 2026, in England it was replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund (2026 to 2029).
✓You apply for the Crisis and Resilience Fund through your local council, not the DWP.
✓Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own crisis funds: the Scottish Welfare Fund, the Discretionary Assistance Fund and Discretionary Support.
✓Most of this help is a grant you don't repay, though some support (like a budgeting advance) is a loan.
✓Charities and energy suppliers also run grant schemes, the Turn2us grants search lists ones you may qualify for.

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The Crisis and Resilience Fund (England) and what replaced the Household Support Fund

If you've searched for the Household Support Fund, here's the important update: that scheme ended on 31 March 2026. In England it has been replaced by the new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), which runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. It is funded by central government (the DWP) and run by local councils to help people facing a financial shock or struggling to afford essentials.

✓What it can cover: food, energy and water bills, essential household items, and other emergency costs, set locally by each council
✓Who it's for: people on low incomes facing hardship, you usually don't have to be on benefits to apply
✓How to apply: through your local council, search 'Crisis and Resilience Fund' plus your council's name, or start at gov.uk/cost-living-help-local-council
✓What you may need: ID, proof of address, income and outgoings, bank statements and your National Insurance number

Each council designs its own scheme within the national rules, so the exact help, eligibility and application form vary by area. Some councils refer you through a local advice service or food bank rather than a direct online form. Your council's website is the place to check.

Crisis funds in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

The Crisis and Resilience Fund applies in England. The other UK nations run their own well-established schemes:

✓Scotland, Scottish Welfare Fund: Crisis Grants help in an emergency or disaster (for example after losing money or a flood), and Community Care Grants help you live independently or set up a home. Apply through your local council.
✓Wales, Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF): Emergency Assistance Payments for essential costs in a crisis, and Individual Assistance Payments to help you live independently. Apply online via the Welsh Government or by phone.
✓Northern Ireland, Discretionary Support: short-term living expenses in a crisis, as a grant or interest-free loan. Apply through the Finance Support service.

These funds are usually quicker than a benefit claim and are designed for emergencies, so apply as soon as a crisis hits rather than waiting. You can often apply more than once a year if you have separate crises, though some have limits.

One-off help through the benefits system

If you're already claiming, or about to claim, there are built-in ways to get help with a one-off cost:

✓Universal Credit Budgeting Advance: a loan for an unexpected essential cost or to cover the wait for your first payment. It's repaid from your future UC, so it reduces later payments.
✓Budgeting Loan: an interest-free loan for people on certain older 'legacy' benefits (such as income-based ESA or JSA, or Income Support), for essential items.
✓Short-Term Benefit Advance: if you're waiting for a first benefit payment and can't manage, you can ask for an advance, again repaid from later payments.
✓Hardship Payment: a reduced-rate payment if your Universal Credit has been cut by a sanction and you can't afford essentials, usually repayable.

Advances and budgeting loans are loans, not grants, they're repaid from your future benefit, which lowers those payments. Use a grant scheme first where you can, and only borrow what you genuinely need.

Grants for new babies, funerals and winter costs

Some grants are tied to specific life events, and most don't have to be repaid:

✓Sure Start Maternity Grant (England and Wales): a one-off £500 for your first child (or any child in a multiple birth) if you get a qualifying benefit. In Scotland this is replaced by the more generous Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment.
✓Funeral Expenses Payment: help with the cost of a funeral you're responsible for, if you're on a qualifying benefit. In Scotland this is the Funeral Support Payment.
✓Warm Home Discount: a one-off discount on your electricity bill each winter (£150 for 2026/27, the same as 2025/26) for people on low incomes or certain benefits, applied through your energy supplier. Eligibility was widened for 2025/26, so more households now qualify.
✓Cold Weather Payment / Winter Heating Payment (Scotland): help with heating costs during very cold spells if you're on certain benefits.

Amounts and qualifying benefits change over time, check the current figure on GOV.UK (or mygov.scot in Scotland) before relying on it, and claim within any time limit, the Sure Start Maternity Grant, for example, must be claimed within a set window around the birth.

Charitable grants and energy supplier funds

Beyond the government schemes, thousands of charities and trusts give grants to individuals, for household items, debts, disability costs, education, or because of your job, illness or background. You don't repay a charitable grant.

✓Turn2us grants search: a free tool that matches your circumstances to charitable grants you may be eligible for, search 'Turn2us grants search'
✓Energy supplier hardship funds: most large suppliers run trusts that clear energy debt and replace broken appliances (for example the British Gas Energy Trust, which helps customers of any supplier)
✓Local charities and benevolent funds: tied to a trade, profession, employer, illness, or area, an adviser can help you find ones relevant to you
✓Water company schemes: hardship funds and reduced 'social tariffs' that cut your water bill if you're on a low income

Free advice services such as Citizens Advice can do a full benefits check and point you to the right grants, often finding money people didn't know they could claim. It's worth a call before you borrow.

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Frequently asked questions

What replaced the Household Support Fund in 2026?

The Household Support Fund ended on 31 March 2026. In England it was replaced by the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, which runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. It's funded by the DWP and administered by local councils to help people facing a financial crisis or struggling to afford essentials like food and energy. You apply through your local council.

How do I apply for the Crisis and Resilience Fund?

Apply through your local council, not the DWP. Search for 'Crisis and Resilience Fund' along with your council's name, or start at gov.uk/cost-living-help-local-council. Each council sets its own scheme, eligibility and application process, and you usually need ID, proof of address, details of your income and outgoings, and your National Insurance number.

Is there emergency help if I live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

Yes. Scotland has the Scottish Welfare Fund (Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants), Wales has the Discretionary Assistance Fund (Emergency Assistance Payments and Individual Assistance Payments), and Northern Ireland has Discretionary Support. All are designed for crises and are usually quicker than a benefit claim. You apply through your local council or the relevant national service.

Do I have to pay grants and hardship funds back?

Most are grants you don't repay, including the Crisis and Resilience Fund, the devolved welfare funds, Sure Start Maternity Grant and charitable grants. Some help through the benefits system is a loan, a Universal Credit Budgeting Advance and Budgeting Loan are repaid from your future payments, so use grant schemes first where you can.

Where can I find charitable grants I might qualify for?

Use the free Turn2us grants search, which matches your circumstances to charitable grants for individuals. Energy suppliers also run hardship trusts (such as the British Gas Energy Trust) that can clear energy debt or replace appliances, and water companies offer hardship funds and social tariffs. A free benefits check from Citizens Advice can identify both grants and unclaimed benefits.

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Know Your Rights UK. "Grants and Hardship Funds: Emergency Help You Usually Don't Repay." Know Your Rights UK, https://www.knowyourrightsuk.com/benefits/grants-and-hardship-funds