If you’re on a low income and facing financial difficulty or an emergency, support is available.

Funded by the UK government, the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) helps Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole residents who are struggling with the cost of living. It provides short-term help in a crisis and support to help people become more financially stable in the longer term.

The CRF replaces the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments, which ended on 31 March 2026.

Crisis payment scheme

We are working with Citizens Advice Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (CABCP) to deliver a crisis payment scheme for residents who have experienced a sudden financial shock and are unable to meet essential living costs as a result.

Applications for support with energy efficiency and/or white good replacements is provided by Ridgewater Energy, who will deliver support and advice in those areas.

Residents who receive a crisis payment will also be offered practical money and financial resilience support to help reduce the risk of future crises.

Housing payments scheme

Crisis payments do not include housing‑related costs such as rent, temporary accommodation or Housing Payments.

If your situation is housing‑related, you may be eligible for additional support under the Housing Payment Scheme.

Food support

School holiday food vouchers scheme

The UK government’s Crisis and Resilience Fund will continue funding supermarket food vouchers for families to purchase food during May half term.

Use our access to food map to find food banks, social supermarkets, community meal projects and low-cost food providers.

Crisis and Resilience Fund grant scheme

In partnership with Dorset Community Foundation, this community-based small grants scheme is now open for applications from voluntary and community organisations to help deliver local services and activities that help prevent crisis and support residents to stay well. Find out more about the grant scheme.

The communities section of our website also has information about local services, wellbeing support and community resources.