1. Overview
From April 2026 Exeter City Council will be delivering crisis and resilience support to low-income households who have experienced a financial shock. The CRF is a three-year scheme funded by Department for Work and Pensions and delivered through an agreement with Devon County Council.
The fund is designed to help residents deal with unexpected financial shocks and to support longer-term financial stability. Support will include direct payments to help with crisis needs and access to wraparound support services to reduce the need for further support. The specific support available will change as the scheme develops through the three-year period. The latest information on what help is available will be added to this page.
Crisis Support
The Crisis and Resilience Fund can provide two types of Crisis Support:
Housing Payments
Housing Payments can be considered for households who are in receipt of Housing Benefit or the Housing Costs element of Universal Credit and who are struggling with housing related costs.
For further information please click here Housing Payments
Crisis Payments
For residents facing an urgent and unexpected financial shock that threatens their wellbeing or ability to meet essential needs. It is important to note that Crisis Payments are intended to meet occasional or short-term needs and cannot provide help managing the high cost of living.
For further information click here: Crisis Payments
In addition to financial help, or where a payment cannot be made, applicants may be offered resilience support, such as:
- Welfare or benefits advice
- Budgeting help
- Financial guidance
- Housing advice
- Help identifying additional benefit entitlements
This ensures residents receive not only immediate support but also help to improve their longer‑term financial resilience.
Who can apply?
To receive financial support from the CRF, you must:
- Be aged 16 or over
- Live within the Exeter City Council area
- Be on a low income
- Be experiencing a genuine and unexpected financial shock
Each application is assessed individually.
Decision‑makers will take a fair, person‑centred approach, following national guidance and the local funding agreement.
