The UK\u2019s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled two new cost of living support payments to be launched in April 2026. Unlike previous schemes, these will not require recipients to be claiming benefits, in a shift aimed at supporting a broader range of financially vulnerable households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The funding will form part of a new \u00a31 billion Crisis and Resilience Fund<\/strong>, a multi-year initiative designed to provide more stable and tailored support for people facing financial hardship. It replaces the short-term Household Support Fund<\/strong>, and gives local councils authority to allocate the money based on their assessment of local needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first of the two announced measures is a crisis payment<\/strong>, intended for individuals facing immediate financial emergencies. Local authorities will manage these funds directly, with discretion to set their own eligibility rules. According to Birmingham Live<\/em>, the payment <\/a>will not be limited to those receiving existing DWP benefits, broadening access to households previously excluded from direct support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A government spokesperson stated that the fund is intended to prevent people \u201cfrom falling into crisis by giving local authorities the certainty they need to provide emergency financial support<\/em>.\u201d The goal is to establish longer-term financial resilience by ensuring households can access timely aid before their situation worsens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Sabine Goodwin<\/strong>, director of the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN)<\/em>, the fund has the potential to \u201cbe transformative for local communities<\/em>\u201d and could significantly support the government\u2019s objective to reduce dependence on emergency food parcels. Goodwin emphasised the importance of providing \u201ccash payments alongside advice to maximise income<\/em>\u201d to prevent future crises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This cash-first approach is expected to help reduce demand on food banks <\/strong>and charitable aid, as noted by Goodwin, who added that \u201cfar fewer people will have to turn to a food bank\u2026 and far more people will be able to build financial resilience<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nCrisis Payment for Emergency Support Needs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Housing Payment to Support Rent-Related Difficulties<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n