Crisis and Resilience Fund Deliberative Research
Deliberative research with potential recipients of the new Crisis and Resilience Fund to inform it’s development and design.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This qualitative research was commissioned to inform the development and design of the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). Potential recipients of the fund were asked their views of the fund and how they felt it could provide effective and timely financial crisis support in the immediate, and long-term.
Research background
The CRF is a new, reformed discretionary scheme for England, launching from 1 April 2026. It builds on the types of support previously offered through the Household Support Fund (HSF), which is due to end in March 2026, and brings together key funding streams e.g. Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) into a single, streamlined fund. The CRF provides multi-year funding so local authorities can offer timely crisis support and build longer-term financial resilience, working with voluntary and community organisations, to provide support locally. The Fund is designed by DWP and administered by local authorities.
Contribution to the evidence base
This research provides evidence of what potential recipients of the fund think of the reformed fund. It provides valuable insight into what they consider should be the main principles of the fund for it to be effective in supporting those in need.
Research value
The findings of this research have been used internally to inform the design of the CRF and the development of accompanying guidance lines for Local Authorities.