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Crisis Payments and Help

Heating oil help

If you are struggling with the cost of heating oil we may be able to help. Heating oil financial support is available for low-income households who rely on oil and are can’t afford to pay for their next order.

Eligibility criteria

  • Live full time in Somerset
  • Use heating oil as your main way of heating your home or water
  • Have less than 300 litres in your tank
  • Are at risk of being unable to heat your home or access hot water
  • Are in receipt of universal credit or pension credit or are not in receipt of any benefits but can show you cannot afford the minimum order required for a delivery
  • Savings – where an applicant has savings of more than £3,000 and less than £10,000 we will assess their need and situation to establish whether using those savings to pay for heating oil would lead to financial hardship in the near future

You’ll be asked to provide evidence to show you meet all of the above eligibility criteria.

Heating oil application form

If you are unable to apply online or need help, call 0808 278 7842 and select option 3.

A young woman in a fleece sitting on a bench with her arms folded against the cold
An older man at a table reading a letter

Housing crisis payments

If you are getting the housing element of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit for your current home, a CRF housing payment help may be available towards:

  • A rent shortfall
  • One-off costs like rent deposits
  • Rent in advance
  • Removal costs

Exceptional hardship payments also exist for help with a Council Tax shortfall or arrears.

This help is delivered by Somerset Council.

For more information and to apply, visit the discretionary award page on their website for full details.

Crisis payments

Crisis payments may be available to offer financial support for households experiencing a financial shock or sudden financial hardship.

You may be eligible for a crisis payment if you:

  • Live full time in Somerset (other areas operate their own schemes)
  • Are facing crisis or hardship due to an unexpected financial shock
  • Have an immediate need
  • Can show that the household does not have enough money to resolve the immediate crisis and is at risk of going without essentials (food, heat), falling into unmanageable debt, or facing serious financial distress
  • Have an adult in the household that is currently entitled to a means tested benefit, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), or Housing Benefit or have a low household income after paying essential living costs
  • Have less than £3,000 in savings

You’ll be asked to provide evidence to show you meet all of the above eligibility criteria.

Crisis payment application form

Once you have applied, you will receive updates through your application portal.

The Crisis Payment Policy is available on the Somerset Council website.