The government has introduced a new Crisis and Resilience Fund to support residents facing financial hardship. This replaces the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2026 and will run until 31 March 2029.
The fund is designed to:
- help people manage sudden financial shocks, such as unexpected expenses or a loss of income
- provide targeted housing support, replacing Discretionary Housing Payments
- build longer-term financial resilience, reducing dependency on emergency support
For 2026/27, Wirral Council has been allocated £5.8 million to deliver this support to local communities.
The fund is delivered through four key strands:
- Crisis Payment: Providing support to those in crisis.
- Housing Payment - Providing financial support towards housing needs, to those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs.
- Resilience Services: Funding for services delivered by authorities or external providers to improve financial resilience. This will include funding to community partners, debt and welfare advice and support that enables residents to better manage future financial challenges, reducing repeat reliance on crisis interventions.
- Community Co-ordination: Investment in activities that connect and enhance the local support landscape.
The council will be implementing a plan that was approved by committee on the 10 June 2026:
This page will be updated as more information becomes available.
What other support is available?
The council continue to help people who are most vulnerable to increases in the cost of living. This work is done with local agencies, groups and organisations.
The financial support available includes:
- Government Fuel Rebate scheme
- Winter Fuel Payments
- Help with Council Tax
- Emergency financial support schemes
- Housing Payments
- Costing of Living Support – Government Guidance
Find help with the cost of living
To see other support that may be available to you, please visit the Government's Cost of Living Hub.
Information about food and other support available to residents is also posted on the Wirral Infobank website.
Find out more about help with the cost of living or call 0151 606 2005 if you are unable to go online.