Crisis and Resilience Fund

If you live in the Thurrock Council area

Crisis Payment

Eligibility

You can claim from the 1 April 2026 if you are:

  • 18 or over (may be able to claim if aged 16 to 17 if meet the qualifying criteria for Universal Credit (UC) housing costs or Housing Benefit (HB))
  • a 'resident' in the administrative area of Thurrock Council. Where 'resident' is defined as someone who lives in a property in the Thurrock Council area or are accessing services such as the Job Centre as if a resident of the area. A 'resident' could also be a person who has been placed outside the Thurrock Council area and is being supported by Thurrock Council. However, a 'resident' cannot be someone who has been placed by another Authority in the Thurrock area and is being supported by that other Authority
  • on a low income or with little or no resources
  • and you fit the following criteria

Criteria

A crisis payment could be awarded where you have experienced financial shock, which is a sudden, unexpected expense or drop in income, that can place pressure on your budget and wellbeing

Some examples of the type of crisis that causes a financial shock includes

  • disasters (for example fire, flood, gas explosion) that are unforeseen and resulted in significant damage to, or loss of, possessions or property
  • accident, health emergency or mental health crisis, leading to unplanned spending or incurring increased expenses
  • experiencing domestic abuse and leaving an abusive relationship/partner and needs immediate help, such as moving into an unfurnished property and needing help with furniture and appliances
  • when an applicant is settling in the community after a period of unsettlement such as homelessness/placement in temporary accommodation/fleeing domestic violence
  • breakage of an essential item
  • a short-term gap in regular income, for example, due to a significant change in working pattern

Do I qualify?

To see whether you qualify for the award you will need to answer questions about your:

  • income
  • earnings
  • savings
  • expenses
  • debts

You also need to give proof of your financial situation.

If you do not fully complete the form with all details we will be unable to assess your claim and it will be withdrawn.

Assessment will be made of all other help you:

  • have received, or
  • have available to you

This includes any support you have already received through any other support the Government have recently made available.

What the scheme covers

Where you fit the criteria to claim, the scheme can cover applications for:

  • food and hygiene products
  • water charges
  • fuel/energy costs
  • essential furniture (such as bed, sofa, storage)
  • household furnishings (curtains, bedding)
  • essential white goods (such as cooker, fridge, washing machine)
  • clothing
  • food and hygiene products
  • digital and connectivity essentials such as broadband or phone bills

Thurrock Council can support with Housing Costs via the Housing Payment strand of the CRF that they manage. Housing Payments can be claimed if you receive the Housing Element of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. Please contact Thurrock Council to make a Housing Payment application.

Where an individual cannot access a Housing Payment, either because they are not eligible (not entitled to a qualifying benefit) or the Housing Payment allocation has been exhausted, there will be consideration if support can be provided by a Crisis Payment under this scheme.

If you are awarded the grant, you will receive your award by one or more of the following:

  • PostOffice Payout scheme
  • AllPay card
  • High quality recycled furniture from a reputable charity
  • White goods from a reputable charity

Resilience Services

Resilience Services will be provided for people applying for a Crisis Payment.

The services offered will be designed to reach one or more of the following outcomes:

  • reduce experience of material deprivation - This is the inability to afford essentials
  • increase access to appropriate and quality advice services - This could be a service that deals with debt, welfare, housing or other wider advice
  • increase savings
  • reduce priority debt
  • reduce need for emergency food parcels/crisis applications
  • maximise your income and budget

You will be contacted after your Crisis Payment application has been processed. There is an expectation you will engage with the services offered to reduce your need to make any further crisis applications.

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