Crisis Support Fund

What the Crisis Support Fund is

The Crisis Support Fund can help those who are struggling with paying for food and gas or electricity.

It may be able to offer you financial help if:

You've experienced an unforeseeable, short-term crisis
You're facing exceptional pressures because of an emergency

The Crisis Support Fund is funded through the Household Support Fund.

We will only be able to support those who are eligible until the funds run out.

Financial help

Crisis Support Fund payments are in the form of:

Food vouchers to spend at a supermarket (to buy essentials)
Gas or electricity meter payments (via Paypoint) if you have run out

If you are eligible, we can provide one payment per household per year.

Who is eligible

To get help from the Crisis Support Fund you must:

Be 16 years old or over
Live in Norfolk
Be claiming means tested benefits. For example, Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance, Pension Credit or Tax Credits.
Be working on a low income or be able to show that you are in financial hardship

How to apply

To get support from the Crisis Support Fund, you must complete an application form and provide details to verify your situation.

The application form will ask you to provide:

Personal information
Electronic copies of your bank statement. You can also post paper copies of your bank statement to: Norfolk Crisis Support Fund, FES, Floor 3, County Hall, Martineau Lane, NR1 2DH.
National Insurance number. We cannot process an application request without it. If you have lost it, you can find your National Insurance number on GOV.UK.
Last month's bank statement. The bank statement must contain your name and address.
Information on any health issues affecting you
The number of children who live with you

Apply for the Crisis Support Fund online

Please read our privacy notice to find out how we use your information.

Help with completing an online application

We can support you with completing an online application if you are unable to do so yourself. Contact our customer service centre for help applying online.

Telephone applications

Contact our customer service centre if you want to make an application over the phone. We will complete the form with you, but you still must send us evidence via email or post.

What happens after you apply

After submitting a Crisis Support Fund application:

You will receive an email requesting your latest bank statement
Once we receive your bank statement, we will review your application within 48-72 hours

If your application is successful you will receive an award.

If your application is unsuccessful, you will receive information about other available support. For example, you can submit a request to the Client Hardship Service (CHS). The CHS offers support with money management, budgeting, and essential household items.