Get help from the Crisis and Resilience Fund

Emergency financial help is now available to low‑income households in the Canterbury district who rely on heating oil, are close to running out, and cannot afford the minimum delivery volume.

Your circumstances

To get oil heating support, you must:

• be aged 16 or over
• be permanently living in the Canterbury district
• get means‑tested benefits or have a total household income of £33,000 or less per year
• use heating oil as the main source of heating and or hot water
• have 150 litres of heating oil or less remaining
• be unable to afford the minimum order needed for a heating oil delivery

We will prioritise applications from households with less than 100 litres of oil remaining.

Evidence you need to submit

You will need to give us proof of your financial circumstances, such as:

• bank statements or payslips from the last three months
• evidence of any means-tested benefits you get
• proof of your identity and address, such as a council tax bill or utility bill and national insurance number

We also need proof of heating oil use, such as:

• a recent invoice or delivery receipt, or
• bank statement showing payment to a heating oil supplier, or
• tenancy agreement confirming oil‑based heating

We will need evidence of the current tank level, such as a photo of the gauge.

How to apply

If you meet the criteria, you can complete an application form. A support service worker, family member or friend can also submit an application on your behalf.

Apply for a Crisis and Resilience Fund payment

If you’re unable to complete an online application form, please contact us on 01227 862000.

When will I know the outcome?

We will try to let you know of the outcome of your application within 28 days of it being submitted. This may be longer in busier periods, or if you don't give us the evidence we need.

Getting the award

If you meet the eligibility criterial and give the right evidence, you will get £300 towards the rising cost of heating oil rather than the full cost.

The home essentials scheme can help with:

• carpets - for social housing tenants only
• children’s beds
• white goods
• second-hand furniture

Who we can help

To get support, you must:

• permanently live in the Canterbury district
• be aged 16 or over
• have a total household income of £40,000 or less, including employment or any means-tested benefits you get
• have less than £1,000 in savings
• have no other means of getting the items you need

If somebody in your household is above state pension age, we will still consider the referral if their combined savings are above £1,000.

To get help with flooring, you must hold a permanent tenancy with a social housing provider, such as council or housing association. We cannot provide flooring for temporary accommodation.

Getting a referral to the scheme

We are accepting referrals from professional organisations such as food banks, housing associations, schools and social prescribers.

If you would like more information about where you can get a referral, please contact CRFund@canterbury.gov.uk.

We will be accepting referrals for the Home Essentials Scheme between 6 August and 19 November 2026, and 4 January and 26 February 2027. We may need to close the referral form earlier if all the funding is spend sooner than expected.

If you are facing financial difficulties such as debt, paying your rent and bills, or applying for benefits, Canterbury Food Bank has a link worker who can support you to access services that can help improve your situation.

This includes completing forms, debt advice, accessing benefits and grants, and gathering any supporting evidence you need. They can also help if you need small essential items such as kettles and toasters. 

If you would like support from them, you can contact the Food Bank or call them 01227 936450.

You can get help and advice for the cost of living, including:

• food and housing costs
• money and debt
• paying bills
• health and wellbeing

Families eligible for free school meals can get free activities and help with food through the Holiday Activities and Food Programme during school holidays.

You can also find information and support on GOV.UK towards bills, childcare and housing.