Crisis and Resilience Fund policy

8.1 All applications for Crisis Payments will be assessed on their individual merits, taking into account the applicant’s personal and financial circumstances, verified evidence and any previous applications for a Crisis Payment.

8.2 Applicants with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) are not eligible for support from this Fund.

8.3 The Council will ask for supporting evidence as part of the assessment process before a decision can be made. This may include, but is not limited to:

• details of income and expenditure
• bank statements and latest bills related to the application request
• evidence of any exceptional circumstances relevant to the request

8.4 The Council’s decision will be confirmed in writing; urgent decisions will also be communicated by telephone.

8.5 To promote long‑term financial resilience, applicants who receive a Crisis Payment may be referred to access support on debt and money management from organisations such as Citizens Advice. This is intended to help address the underlying issues contributing to repeated financial crises.

8.6 Where an applicant requests a repeat crisis payment within a 12 month period and does not meaningfully engage with the recommended support service, the Council will usually determine that further Crisis Payments cannot be awarded.