Who can apply for a crisis payment
You can apply for a crisis payment if you need help to pay for essential costs such as food, energy, housing or basic household items.
Support is usually provided for short‑term, urgent situations. The amount you may receive depends on your circumstances, and all awards are made at our discretion.
To get support from the Crisis and Resilience Fund, you must be:
- a Central Bedfordshire resident
- a British Citizen
- in a low‑income household
- 16 or over
- experiencing financial hardship or a financial crisis that affects your ability to meet essential needs
If you’re 16 to 18, you must be living independently to be eligible.
If you're not a British citizen, you must either receive benefits or have an immigration status that allows you to claim public funds. We can also consider applications from families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) if they are being supported by a recognised professional, such as a social worker, support worker, or another relevant agency.
When we assess your application, we’ll also consider:
- any accessible savings you have
- the number of previous applications from you or anyone in your household
- any previous awards you have received from the scheme
Apply for a crisis payment
From 1 April 2026, you can apply for a crisis payment; short-term financial support to help with essential costs if you are experiencing a financial crisis or sudden financial shock. This could include situations such as a loss of income, an unexpected bill or another emergency.
Support may be available for things like food, energy and utility costs (including heating oil), essential transport and basic household items. Any award will be based on your individual circumstances and is intended as a contribution towards costs.
You can also call 0300 300 8000.