Camden Council provides support through the Government funded Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) to help residents on low incomes who are experiencing financial hardship.
The fund supports residents with:
- Crisis Payments – short-term financial support if you are in crisis
- Housing Payments – help with housing costs if you are eligible
- Resilience Services – support to help you manage your money and improve your financial situation
Crisis Payments
You may be able to apply for a Crisis Payment if you are in a financial crisis and cannot afford essentials such as food, energy or other urgent costs.
Crisis Payments:
- provide short-term support for immediate needs
- are usually one-off payments. If significant financial hardship is experienced within 6 months of a Crisis Payment, if you reapply, you may receive a referral to specialist advice
- follow a cash-first approach, but may be provided as vouchers or goods depending on your needs
- are available to people on low incomes, not just those receiving benefits
You may be eligible if you:
- have experienced a sudden financial shock, or
- are at risk of going without essential items such as food, heating or basic household goods
Apply for a Crisis Payment
You can apply for a Crisis Payment online.
If you cannot apply online, and do not have access to help via a friend, neighbour, voluntary sector organisation or support worker you can apply:
- by phone – 020 7974 4444
- or in person – phone 020 7974 4444 to make an appointment
Housing Payments
Housing Payments are funded by the UK Government through the Crisis and Resilience Fund.
You may be able to apply for a Housing Payment if you need extra help with housing costs.
You may be eligible if you:
- receive Housing Benefit, or
- receive Universal Credit with housing costs
Housing Payments can help with:
- rent shortfalls
- rent in advance or deposits
- other essential housing-related costs
Apply for a Housing Payment
You can apply for a Housing Payment online.
If you cannot apply online, and do not have access to help via a friend, neighbour, voluntary sector organisation or support worker you can apply:
- by phone: 020 7974 4444
- or in person: call 020 7974 4444 to make an appointment
Resilience Services
Resilience Services are funded through the Crisis and Resilience Fund and help you improve your financial situation over time.
These services can help you:
- check what benefits you are entitled to
- increase your income
- manage debt and bills
- build financial stability
You do not need to receive a Crisis Payment or Housing Payment to access these services.
You can refer yourself online or call 020 7974 4444.
Community coordination
The Crisis and Resilience Fund supports joint working between Camden Council and local voluntary and community organisations to improve access to financial support.
This includes strengthening connections between services, helping residents find the right support and improving how organisations work together to prevent financial hardship.
Support for families
Supermarket vouchers
The Crisis and Resilience Fund contributed towards supermarket vouchers for eligible families during the 2026 summer holidays, helping with the cost of food during school closures.
Accessibility and getting support
We aim to make our services accessible and easy to use.
You can:
- apply online, by phone or in person
- ask someone to apply on your behalf (for example, a friend, family member or support worker)
- request information in alternative formats, including Braille, Easy Read and large print
If you need help, contact Money Advice Camden by phone 020 7974 4444.
More help with the cost of living
You may also be able to get support with:
- food and energy costs
- housing and bills
- benefits and income