Crisis Payment Scheme

Bracknell Forest Council has been allocated funding from the Department for Work and Pensions Crisis and Resilience Fund. This page explains how we will use that funding for our Crisis Payment Scheme.

The purpose of the fund is to support:

• low income, vulnerable households who encounter a financial shock - including pressures from increased household costs
• activity that builds individual and community financial resilience

The scheme:

• provides a short term and one-off form of support
• is offered in the event of an emergency or crisis when family, friends, charities or insurance cannot help
• helps to minimise the risk of harm to vulnerable residents and their household

Payments

This scheme can provide one-off payments in emergencies.

When calculating an award, we will look at the household’s circumstances and the crisis described. This will help us decide on a suitable amount based on the evidence provided.

Payments may be roughly around:

• £250 for a single person
• £400 for a couple
• £500 for a family with dependent children under the age of 18

These figures are indicative only and do not represent guaranteed award amounts. We make each decision on a case-by-case basis.

When the award will not be considered

In certain circumstances, support with immediate needs may be better met from another source. In such cases we will signpost applicants to the source of help best suited to their needs. 

Household item or repair

If the need relates to a household item or repair, the landlord or property owner is responsible. The applicant will be supported to approach the responsible party for help.

How to apply

Use our online form to apply. The form will be available on this page once the scheme is open.

You will need to consent to share information with other agencies.

Help to apply

If you need help with your application, contact the Financial Inclusion team by:

• email: fit@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
• phone: 01344 352010

Financial information

The financial position of each applicant will be assessed based on known income and expenditure.

You may be asked for information to support your application, such as evidence of:

• capital
• child maintenance
• essential bills
• spending
• wages

If you are unsuccessful

This is a discretionary scheme and not every application will be successful.

There is no statutory right of review in this scheme. Applicants unsatisfied with the outcome of an application may request a review.

To request a review, you must:

• email lwp@bracknell-forest.gov.uk within 5 days of the notification of the award
• state the reasons you disagrees with the decision
• provide supporting evidence

We will notify applicants of the outcome of a review within 14 days of receipt of the request.

This decision will be final and no further reviews will be accepted.

If you are a family facing financial difficulties, read our cost of living support section to find out about the help available to you.

More information

The council can access the funding from 1 April 2026 and must spend it by 31 March 2027. Local authorities can decide how to spend the funding within the guidance limits.

They can deliver the scheme through a variety of routes, including:

• direct provision of food
• payments to households
• issuing grants to third parties

Local authorities must work towards 3 national outcomes. This shapes how we will design, deliver and review our local scheme.

The national outcomes are:

1. Provision of effective crisis support.
2. Improving individual financial resilience.
3. Strengthening the local support landscape.

The funding should be used to support vulnerable and low-income households in crisis.

The fund should primarily cover urgent costs for food, energy and water. It can also be used for other essential emergency expenses.

While the fund seeks to offer immediate help, it should also seek to offer longer term sustainable impact.