CRF Furniture and White Goods

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) provides residents experiencing financial hardship with essential furniture and white goods through the Crisis Payment Service. The service requires a supplier that can source, store and deliver a range of household items directly to eligible residents across Leicestershire at competitive wholesale prices. The CRF is funded through ringfenced Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) funding rather than Council resources. DWP guidance requires local welfare provision to include support for people facing immediate financial crisis and those needing assistance to establish or maintain a home. As a result, the provision of essential furniture and white goods forms a core component of the CRF and the Council must maintain arrangements for the delivery of this support. Direct provision of goods ensures that residents receive the items they need to maintain a safe and functional home environment, whilst providing greater assurance that public funds are used for their intended purpose. This approach reduces the risk of fraud and misuse compared with cash-based awards and supports effective contract management through clear audit trails. Leicestershire County Council is exploring options for the provision, delivery and, where appropriate, installation of essential furniture and white goods for eligible residents experiencing financial crisis.