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Wigan Council (DWP Crisis and Resilience Fund)

Crisis and Resilience Fund (Wigan)

Government-funded crisis help for low-income households in the Wigan borough who face a financial shock, such as a sudden expense or drop in income, running from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. Crisis Payments are cash-first (vouchers, cash-out codes or goods) and are not limited to people on benefits; Housing Payments, which replace Discretionary Housing Payments, help Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing claimants with housing costs. Applicants are offered referrals for advice to build longer-term financial resilience.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Amount not specified
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Light
short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

  • Low-income households in the Wigan borough who have experienced a financial shock (a sudden, unexpected expense or drop in income) or may be entering crisis, for example after a disaster such as a flood or fire, an accident or health or mental health emergency, leaving domestic abuse, breakage of an essential item, money lost or stolen, or a short-term gap in income
  • Crisis Payments are not limited to people on benefits; savings and other assets are taken into account
  • Housing Payments are for residents claiming Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with housing costs towards a rental liability (including shared ownership)
  • Applicants are expected to engage with the advice and support referrals offered
  • Friends, relatives, appointees, voluntary and community organisations and health and care professionals can apply on a resident's behalf

What it funds

Crisis Payments, for occasional or short-term needs after a financial shock or to prevent crisis, supporting:

  • Access to food
  • Access to water including for drinking, washing, cooking, as well as for sanitary purposes and sewerage
  • Housing costs
  • Access to period and hygiene products such as soap and toothpaste
  • Access to energy for any form of fuel that is used for the purpose of domestic heating, cooking or lighting, including oil or portable gas cylinders
  • Access to clothing including uniform, warm winter clothing and shoes
  • Access to essential furniture and appliances such as beds and bedding, washing machines, window coverings and carpets, fridge-freezers and ovens
  • Essential transport-related costs such as repairing a car, buying a bicycle or bus pass or paying for fuel
  • Digital and connectivity essentials such as broadband or phone bills
  • Housing Payments: limited short-term help with housing costs for people claiming Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with housing costs, under the council's Discretionary Housing Payment policy

What it will not fund

  • An alternative source of regular income
  • Housing Payments for ineligible service charges
  • Housing Payments for rent increases due to outstanding rent arrears
  • Housing Payments for sanctions and reductions in benefit, or shortfalls caused by HB or UC overpayment recovery
  • Housing Payments during benefit suspensions where entitlement is in doubt or information was not supplied
  • Housing Payments above the weekly Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element

How to apply

  1. Apply online for crisis support or housing payment support from the council's Crisis and Resilience Fund page, or call 01942 705221 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
  2. Professionals can submit a referral using the online form on the same page
  3. The council validates your identity and may ask for bank statements or other evidence
  4. You receive a written decision by email, setting out how any award will be made

help to apply is available at Wigan or Leigh Life Centres and the borough's 15 libraries. To ask for a review, write to welfaresupport@wigan.gov.uk within one month of the decision.

Have ready

  • Proof of identity
  • Bank statements and other supporting evidence, if requested

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