Dorset Council confirms continuation of vital crisis support as new national fund launches

Dorset Council will continue providing essential support to residents facing financial difficulties, as the Government introduces its new national Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) on 1 April 2026.   

The CRF replaces both the Household Support Fund (HSF) and Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP), bringing these schemes together into a single national fund that will run until March 2029.    

Dorset Council has been allocated £4.1 million by the Government for the first year of the scheme, including a minimum ringfenced amount of £458,298 to support residents with housing-related costs.   

Whilst this represents an 8.9% reduction compared to the 2025/26 HSF and DHP allocation, the new three-year settlement does provide greater financial stability, allowing the council and local partners to plan support more effectively and develop stronger long-term approaches to boost community resilience and prevent family hardship.  

Given the very short timeframe between the Government issuing updated CRF guidance on 21 January 2026 and the national launch date of 1 April, Dorset Council is taking a pragmatic approach.    

This week’s Cabinet was asked to approve the continuation of the critical crisis and resilience services currently funded through the HSF, where these clearly meet the new CRF requirements. This will ensure there is no gap in vital support for vulnerable residents who face sudden financial shocks.   

Councillor Ryan Hope, Cabinet Portfolio member for Customer, Culture and Community Engagement, said: “The council remains committed to strengthening communities across Dorset. Building resilience—whether at individual, family or community level—sits at the heart of our priorities. The ability to provide responsive help to those in financial distress is a key part of this ambition.” 

Further work will continue over the coming months to develop the longer-term delivery of the CRF locally. Once additional national guidance is published, a detailed report will be presented to the People and Health Overview Committee, ensuring elected members have full oversight of the scheme’s development and impact.  

  From September 2026, all current Free School Meal (FSM) records will be re-set. All children whose families get any level of Universal Credit (UC) will get a free meal at school.  

Pupil Premium (PP) and some other support will still only be for families who earn less than £7,400 per annum.  

The current FSM protections will end, and families will need to re-apply for Free School Meals on a yearly basis. Dorset Council is looking at ways to help families and schools understand the new rules and support them with the new application process.

Dorset Council will continue working closely with partners and community organisations to ensure that residents receive timely, effective support as the new national system is introduced.  

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