Hampshire confirms longer-term help for residents facing financial hardship

At her Decision Day earlier today, Councillor Zoe Huggins, Executive Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, approved plans to allocate up to £33 million from the Government’s new Crisis and Resilience Fund up to March 2029.  

The package includes direct crisis payments for eligible residents, extra support for households struggling with the rising cost of heating oil and continued backing for food support networks such as community pantries. Alongside this the County Council will invest in longer-term support to help residents build financial resilience and reduce the risk of future hardship. 

Plans also include appointing a delivery partner to manage crisis payments and provide wider advice and support, as well as recommissioning an expanded Community Wellbeing Worker Service across Hampshire for adults who need more than simple signposting, including ringfenced funding from Public Health. 

Councillor Huggins said: “People are still dealing with real financial pressure, and for some households one unexpected cost can quickly become a crisis. This funding allows us to keep practical help in place for residents who need urgent support, while also helping people avoid reaching that point in the first place. 

“This is about more than emergency payments. It is about making sure residents can get the right support at the right time, and that local services and community organisations are working together to help people through immediate hardship and build longer-term resilience.” 

The Crisis and Resilience Fund replaces the previous Household Support Fund and is designed to help councils provide both immediate crisis support and longer-term financial resilience for low-income households. For 2026/27, Hampshire’s allocation is £11.035 million, including £586,000 to support residents who rely on heating oil.  

Further information on claiming grants and support in Hampshire can be found at connect4communities.