A new funding scheme will give access to emergency cash for people on low incomes across England.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund beginning at the start of April will provide £1bn annually for the next three years.
People will be able to apply for emergency funds through their local council, whether or not they currently receive benefits.
The new rules say councils can give money to people in financial shock where there is “a sudden, unexpected expense or drop in income”, like a broken boiler, the loss of a job or to prevent people from entering crisis.
It is a replacement for the temporary Household Support Fund which had been extended on a rolling basis since it was set up in 2021, but was due to finish at the end of March.
The level…