Liverpool to launch £11.8m fund to help families in financial crisis

Liverpool is set to roll out a new way of supporting residents facing financial hardship, with an £11.8 million-a-year fund aimed at helping people through crisis – and preventing it from happening again.

Liverpool City Council is expected to approve plans for the new Crisis and Resilience Fund at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 14 April.

The scheme replaces the previous Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments, but with a broader focus – shifting from short-term cost of living help to longer-term financial stability.

The fund will run for at least three years and is designed to support people dealing with sudden expenses, loss of income or ongoing financial pressures, while also helping them build resilience for the future.

To shape the new approach, the council has been working alongside local organisations including Feeding Liverpool, Citizens Advice Liverpool, End Furniture Poverty and Liverpool Access to Advice Network.

The aim is to create a more joined-up system that makes it easier for people to get the right support when they need it most – particularly in urgent or complex situations.

Alongside emergency help, there will be a strong focus on improving financial security through services like debt advice, budgeting support, employment opportunities and community-based wellbeing activity.

The fund will be split into four key areas:

Crisis payments offering emergency cash-first support
Housing payments to help with rent shortfalls, deposits and tenancy costs
Resilience services including budgeting, debt advice, employment and digital skills
Community coordination to better connect services and support networks

Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Transformation, Cllr Ruth Bennett, said the fund provides both immediate support and longer-term stability.

She said: “Liverpool has a proud tradition of supporting our most vulnerable households and this fund gives us certainty over the next three years.

“Families in crisis will continue to be supported, but we also want to put people in a stronger position to deal with financial challenges – whether that’s through debt advice, budgeting support, employment or digital skills.”

She added that the scheme sits alongside wider Government measures, including changes to benefits and the expansion of free school meals, which are expected to put more money into the pockets of Liverpool families.

Liverpool City Council says it will continue to invest in support schemes and work closely with community and voluntary organisations to make sure help reaches those who need it most.