Crisis and Resilience Fund

Financial and crisis support

Credit union crisis loan

Community First Credit Union offer interest free loans for people who are struggling to buy food, pay energy bills, or buy essential items. They can also support with budgeting and money management, and offer a safer alternative to high-cost borrowing.

You can apply for a crisis loan by calling Community First Credit Union on 03030 300 010.

Unless you're experiencing a financial crisis due to a disaster or heating oil hardship, you must contact the credit union before you can apply for a Crisis Payment.

Find your nearest Community First Credit Unit and their opening times.

Crisis Payment

A Crisis Payment is a short-term award to help people who are facing immediate financial hardship and are unable to meet essential living needs. The payment provides urgent support in emergency situations, and is not a long-term solution to ongoing financial difficulties.

We may consider a Crisis Payment for essential needs such as:

• food and basic living essentials

• essential household items (for example: a cooker or fridge)

• essential utilities

• priority or emergency debt

• essential transport related to work, health or caring responsibilities

When you apply for a Crisis Payment, you must explain what caused the crisis and how the payment will help resolve your immediate situation.

Before you apply

Before applying for a Crisis Payment, you must seek support first from Community First Credit Union unless:

• the payment is needed due to a disaster (for example: fire, flood, or another emergency event)

• your application is specifically for heating oil costs

If you apply for a Crisis Payment for a different reason and you haven't already contacted the credit union for support, your application will be rejected. This makes sure that Crisis Payments are reserved for those with no other means of support.

You can find out more in the Crisis and Resilience Fund guidance.

How to apply

You can apply for a Crisis Payment by filling in the online form below.

Local welfare assistance (known as resettlement grant)

The local welfare assistance resettlement grant is for low income households who have signed up for a new tenancy in the Barnsley borough and need help to furnish or pay for essential items for the property. Essential items could include:

• fridge freezer

• beds and mattresses

• cooker or microwave

• washing machine

For full details of the scheme, how to apply and the eligibility criteria, visit our resettlement grant webpage.

Food and essentials

Healthy Holidays clubs

Healthy Holidays clubs support families who need help to access food and activities to keep their children healthy during the school holidays. Clubs provide children with a delicious and nutritious meal, as well as a range fun activities.

Healthy Holidays clubs run during the Easter, summer and Christmas school holidays. We also have clubs running during half-term holidays, funded by the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

For full details visit our Healthy Holidays webpage.

Food support

We want to make sure everyone in Barnsley has access to affordable and nutritious food. Find local, low cost, good quality food in your area.

Housing and energy support

Housing Payments

If you’re claiming Universal Credit or Housing Benefit but are still struggling to pay your rent, we might be able to offer you a Housing Payment to help you. This is a short term payment that we can award to help cover your housing costs.

You can apply for a Housing Payment if you need extra help with your housing costs and:

• you already receive a housing payment as part of Universal Credit, or Housing Benefit

• your Universal Credit or Housing Benefit doesn’t cover the full cost of your rent

For full details of the scheme, how to apply and the eligibility criteria, visit our Housing Payment webpage.

Keeping your home warm

If you're worried about paying for your energy bills or struggling to keep your home warm, you may be able to get some support from our warm homes team. Visit our webpage about making your home warmer and cheaper to run for details.

Heating oil support

You may be able to apply for a Crisis Payment to help with heating oil costs if you meet all of the following conditions:

• you receive Council Tax Support

• heating oil is the only available source of heating for your property

• you're experiencing imminent heating hardship, meaning you're at immediate risk of running out of heating oil

To apply for a Crisis Payment for heating oil support, you need to provide evidence of a recent heating oil quote and confirmation of your current oil tank level. If you apply without providing this evidence, we may not progress your application.

Community, advice and wellbeing support

Welcoming Spaces

Welcoming Spaces are places in the community that offer a free, warm, welcoming and friendly space. Find a Welcoming Space near you.

Support in your local area

To view weekly activities, support and events in your area, visit our what's on in your local area webpage.