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.

What support is available

The CRF provides support to eligible residents through:

• crisis payments for people experiencing an unexpected financial shock
• housing-related support through the Housing Payment Scheme
• help with essential household items and energy-related needs
• financial advice and resilience support to help prevent future crises
• funding for community organisations delivering services that help residents move from crisis to resilience

Who can apply

You may be eligible for support from the CRF if you:

• live in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole
• are on a low income or experiencing financial hardship
• are facing an unexpected crisis or emergency that is affecting your ability to meet essential living costs
• need support with essential household items, energy costs, or other immediate needs
• are willing to engage with advice and support services where appropriate to help improve your longer term financial resilience

If you are not a Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole resident, contact your local council for details of their scheme.

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

Crisis payment scheme

If you've experienced a sudden financial shock, such as losing your job, a family emergency or an unexpected expense, you may be able to get help through the crisis payment scheme delivered by Citizens Advice Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Residents can also access money advice and financial resilience support to help improve their financial wellbeing and reduce the risk of future financial difficulties.

Visit the Citizens Advice website to apply.

Energy and Essential Household Items

Citizens Advice Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole works with Ridgewater Energy to provide support for eligible households needing help with essential household items, such as fridge freezers, washing machines and cookers, as well as energy advice and assistance.

Visit the Citizens Advice website to apply.

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.

You can apply online using the link above.

If you need any help with your application, contact us.

We can provide support if you have difficulty applying online or require information in an alternative format

Food support

If you're worried about the cost of food or other household essentials, support is available across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Access to Food Map

Use our Access to Food Map to find food banks, food pantries, community fridges, social supermarkets and community meals near you.

Food Support for Families

Visit our Food Support for Families page to find information about Healthy Start Scheme, Free School Meals, Holiday Activities and Food (HAF), and other services that may be able to help.

Crisis and Resilience Fund grant scheme

In partnership with Dorset Community Foundation, the Crisis and Resilience Fund grant scheme has provided funds to local community and voluntary organisations to help delivery local services and activities that help prevents crisis and support residents to stay well. Find out more about the grant scheme.

Almost £1 million has been committed to groups helping people out of crisis and into resilience.

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