£30 increase in crisis payments for struggling Sheffield households

Sheffield City Council has raised the one‑off crisis payment by £30 for residents experiencing severe financial hardship. Single‑person households that meet the criteria for the council’s crisis and resilience fund will now receive £95, up from £65. Two‑person households can claim £110, while families of three or four are eligible for £120, and those with five or more members can obtain £130.

Councillor Elle Dodd, who chairs the council’s finance and performance policy committee, said the change reflects the reality that “life is difficult and expensive for too many people” in the city. The fund is intended to help cover essential costs such as food, toiletries and utility bills, according to the council’s website.

The increase follows a cost‑of‑living review carried out by the committee of Sheffield councillors, which identified almost 50,000 households struggling to meet their bills. Since April, the council has awarded at least 7,000 crisis grants, amounting to nearly £600,000.

Dodd added: “Behind every statistic is someone making impossible decisions, feeling stressed and looking for a little breathing room. We are determined to tackle the root causes of poverty and to provide immediate support to those who need it. We are keeping tackling poverty and the cost of living firmly on the agenda.”