Devon County Council has published a report setting out how a new national Crisis and Resilience Fund (CaRF) could be delivered in Devon from April 2026, subject to approval by the council’s Cabinet next week.
The new fund, provided by Government, will replace the current Household Support Fund, which is due to end in 2026.
CaRF is designed to offer more targeted help to people facing sudden financial difficulties, while also supporting longer‑term financial resilience.
If agreed by Cabinet, Devon County Council would receive £8.4 million a year for three years, from 2026/27 to 2028/29.
The funding would be used to help people on low incomes who experience an unexpected financial shock, such as a sudden loss of income or an essential cost they cannot afford.
The report proposes that support would focus on four main areas:
- Crisis payments to help people in immediate financial difficulty
- Housing support, replacing existing discretionary housing payments
- Wraparound financial resilience services, such as advice and support to help people manage their money and avoid future crises
- Community funding to strengthen local advice and support networks across Devon
The approach set out in the report would build on Devon’s experience of delivering previous cost‑of‑living support, working closely with district councils and voluntary and community organisations.
A partnership board would be created to oversee delivery and to review and refine the approach over the life of the programme.
The report also highlights that the new fund is not a direct replacement for the Household Support Fund. Rather than broad or automatic payments, the emphasis would be on targeted, needs‑based support for people facing genuine financial crisis.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle‑Hunkin, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Broadband, said:
“This report sets out how the Council could deliver the new Crisis and Resilience Fund in Devon, working with partners to support people who are facing sudden financial difficulties.
“Any decisions will be for Cabinet to consider, but the intention is to focus help where it is most needed, while also strengthening local advice and support so people are better able to cope in the future.”
Cabinet will discuss the report and decide whether to approve the proposed approach at its meeting on Wednesday 11 March 2026.
If approved, the Council would aim to have the new arrangements in place in late Spring, in line with Government timescales.