On the 1 April 2026, the new Crisis and Resilience Fund was launched in England. The Crisis and Resilience Fund gives money to local councils in England so they can support communities before problems happen and help people who are experiencing a financial emergency. This fund replaces the previous Household Support Funding.
Bolton has been awarded £6.1 million and will be using it to provide a range of services.
Local Welfare Provision
If you need help with food, gas, electric or household goods, you can apply for Local Welfare Provision.
You do not need to receive benefits to apply for this help.
We will check
- your identity
- that you live in Bolton
- what your income and expenses are
This information helps us to work out if you need help from Local Welfare Provision.
Apply for Local Welfare Provision
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)
Funded by the Department for Education and co-ordinated locally by Bolton Council, our HAF programme supports children and families on benefits related Free School Meals with free fun and enriching activities alongside a meal for a minimum four hours a day, for four days a week!
Thanks to the Crisis and Resilience Funding we’re expanding our support offer for children and families. This means:
- More school holiday help: Support will now be available during the May, October, and February half term holidays.
- Support will mainly be for children who receive benefits related FSMs.
- However, up to 15% of the funding can be used flexibly to help children who are not on benefits related FSMs but are identified as needing extra support.
- We are increasing places for families who don’t quite meet the FSM criteria but still need help. This will be done through close work with professionals who support vulnerable families across Bolton.
- After school and term time support: We will continue to offer after school support in schools and develop a wider term time offer in primary schools with the highest levels of FSM eligibility.
Visit the HAF microsite for more information.
Support for care leavers
Targeted support for care leavers.
Money Skills
Supporting any Bolton residents with free, impartial, finance and debt advice, budgeting and energy advice. Visit www.boltonsmoneyskills.org.uk
Out-of-hours Citizens Advice helpline
Providing access to advice at times that are convenient for families, 6pm -9pm 7 days a week
Advice on:
- Welfare benefits
- Debt and money advice
- Housing and homelessness
- Employment issues
- Energy and financial difficulties
- Legal advice and support.
Referrals into:
- Local welfare assistance schemes
- Crisis support services
- Specialist advice services
Signposting and referral pathways to wider support including:
- Mental health support
- Domestic violence services
- Food banks
- Immigration advice
- Employment support
Call or SMS to 0161 850 5053
Bolton Care and Repair
Advice and support is available if you:
- Are over 60 years old
- Or have a disability
- Are a working single resident / family in receipt of Universal Credit
- And live in Bolton and have an issue with home repairs or adaptations
Call to 01204 328 177 or 01204 328 178
Visit www.boltoncareandrepair.org
Community Support
The Crisis and Resilience Fund is also being used to provide grants to a range of community-based organisations via Bolton’s Fund (Bolton CVS). These organisations will be providing a range of support across the Borough to residents in financial need, to view more information click here.
Community Housing Services
Working together on interventions, protection and prevention plans to help prevent homelessness across Bolton.
Commissioning Advice Services
Funding will be used to directly commission external organisations to deliver resilience-focused support for residents, including welfare benefits advice. This will support a range of vulnerable groups, including residents applying for housing-related support from the Council, unpaid carers, disabled people, and families experiencing financial hardship.
We will also commission services that strengthen partnership working and enable more coordinated referral pathways, ensuring residents can access the right support at the right time through a connected network of local organisations.
Unpaid Carers
Asian Elders aercbolton.co.uk are delivering a targeted programme to identify hidden unpaid carers within our diverse communities. Once identified, individuals will receive tailored, wraparound support and, where appropriate, be connected to additional services and resources to help meet their wider needs.
Warm Spaces
Support available to all Bolton residents through the provision of Warm Spaces across the Borough during the winter months.
Warm Welcome | Find Community Spaces Near You
Contingency
As this fund and its objectives are new, it is difficult to accurately predict demand and allocate budgets at this stage. For this reason, a contingency budget has been set aside, allowing additional funding to be distributed flexibly throughout the year as needs become clearer.
Children’s Services
Managed by the Council’s Children’s Services Department, dedicated funding is available to support young people and their families.
Housing Payments
Housing Support Payment claimants need to be in receipt of Housing Benefit and have a shortfall between their benefit award and rent.
Visit Housing payment - extra help – Bolton Council
Employment Support
Money will be allocated to support the provision of employment support, looking to fill gaps and fund new projects, especially around young people.
Visit Jobs and skills – Bolton Council for more information.
Employment and Digital Skills Suppor
The Digital, Employment and Skills (DES) team provide a range of opportunities for residents:
- Sessions to help people build confidence, improve job skills, and develop basic digital skills
- Initial digital skills check, with guidance to further learning opportunities
- A tailored programme for men focused on digital skills, confidence, and employment support
- Learning designed specifically for people who speak English as a second language (ESOL)
Call 07350 416 962
Email: DES@bolton.gov.uk
Connexions Careers Service
Impartial careers advice and guidance to young people aged 13–19 (up to 25 for those with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) or care experienced).
Host to Next Generation Bolton – A bespoke programme with wrap around support for young people aged 16-18yrs, Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) living in Bolton (up to 25 for those with an EHCP or care experienced).
Call 0800 0525559
Visit - BASE, Marsden Road, BL1 2PF, drop In - Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm, no appointment necessary.
Cash First
Work on this element is still in progress, with the aim of completing it over the summer.
Welfare Rights / Home Visiting Team
Enhanced benefit support provision for residents.
The Council’s Human Resource Team
This funding will support the resources needed to continue coordinating the Council’s work experience programme and to widen access to support for Council job applicants.
Cost of Living – help when you need it
If you are struggling financially, support still remains available via our Cost of living pages.