Thousands of Norfolk families who relied on cost-of-living vouchers through the Household Support Fund will no longer receive them after 31 March 2026, when government rules change alongside the introduction of a replacement scheme.

The new Crisis and Resilience Fund will run for three years to 2029, giving the council more stability to plan ahead than the previous year-by-year funding allowed. However, Cabinet members confirmed the overall funding is lower than the Household Support Fund provided.

Most of the new money will continue to support the Norfolk Assistance Scheme. A further £3.2 million will be invested in voluntary sector organisations to deliver outreach support, debt advice and other services tailored to local communities.

The fund will also support people facing redundancy — including CV and interview help — and target young people aged 18 to 30 and veterans. Funding to help community and voluntary organisations become more financially sustainable is also included.

Warm hubs, which provided a place for people to go during the cost-of-living crisis, will continue to receive support under the new arrangements.

Cabinet members noted the council was communicating clearly with families and partner organisations about what was changing. The Chair, Cllr Kay Mason Billig, criticised what she described as underfunding of shire counties compared to urban areas, with councils increasingly reliant on council tax rises to maintain services.

Cabinet approved the funding model and allocations for 2026/27 and 2027/28, and will receive a progress update in March 2027.