Applying for the Crisis and Resilience Fund (Crisis Payment) video transcript
Introduction
Welcome to Walsall Council’s “how-to” guide on applying for the Crisis and Resilience Fund Crisis Payment.
Imagine facing a sudden financial crisis with no immediate help. Funded by the UK Government, the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, launching April 2026, aims to replace previous support funds. The fund offers immediate relief for unexpected financial shocks, such as a sudden income loss or unexpected bills, a delay or change in benefits, an illness, a caring responsibility, or a family emergency.
Support is tailored to your situation, complementing existing benefits to ensure you get the help you need.
Before you apply
You will need your personal details, including your National Insurance number, financial information such as income, savings and expenses, and evidence of your situation, such as a recent bank statement.
Application process
To get started, go to walsall.gov.uk and select “Benefits and cost of living support.” Scroll down and select “Apply for the Crisis and Resilience Fund.” If you need help in a financial crisis, select “Apply for crisis payment,” then select the “Apply for CRF” button.
On the next page, use your email address and password to log in. Don’t have an account? Select the “Register Here” button to create one.
At the start of the request, you will be shown what you’re applying for. Read the compliance statement carefully and agree to the declarations before you continue. On the next page, select “Prefill from my Account Information.” Be sure to enter your National Insurance number and employment type, then select “Continue.” Confirm your answers, then select “Continue to Add Income.”
Please provide all income for your household, all expenditure, debt repayment information, and any savings. Confirm your answers and select “Continue to Questions.”
On the next page, using the drop-down boxes, tell us what crisis you are facing and what you are applying for. Then use the text box, providing as much information as possible, to explain why you need financial help. Answer a few more questions about your household and finances. Then confirm your answers and select “Continue to Upload Documents.”
Uploading documents
Here, you will be required to upload your bank statement and any other documents that support your application. If you need help with this, you can watch our helpful guide to uploading documents by selecting the link.
Final steps
On the next page, enter the details of the account that you would like the payment to be paid into, then select “Continue.” You will then be asked to agree to identity checks with a Credit Reference Agency. Enter the declaration code in the text box directly underneath. Read the declaration carefully and again enter the declaration number in the text box. Finally, select “Complete your Request.”
Application complete
Your request has been submitted. You will be shown your reference number and receive an email confirming this. Our team will review your application and contact you as soon as possible.
Need help?
If you need help getting online, you can visit your local Walsall Connected centre for support. We recommend calling ahead to check the opening times and availability.
Select the link to find your nearest Walsall Connected centre.
If you wish to speak to someone for more information about what has been covered in this video, you can contact Walsall Council Benefits Service on 0300 555 2855. Got a question? Ask WALIS, our chatbot, on walsall.gov.uk.