Published on Tuesday 06 May 2025
Households struggling to afford essential household costs, such as for food or energy, can apply for the seventh round of Household Support Fund (HSF) funding, delivered by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council.
The latest funding round could furnish low-income households with crucial short-term financial support, alongside free, practical advice from Citizen’s Advice BCP and Ridgewater Energy specialists on managing money and heating homes efficiently.
Funded by the UK Government’s Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), HSF round seven will run until 31 March 2026.
Cllr Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, said: “I’m pleased the HSF has been extended for a seventh round to support people with the cost-of-living. The initiative can provide struggling households with crucial financial support, as well as practical advice and guidance from experts to help residents make their money go further.
“I urge anyone who thinks they might be eligible to apply, and to make the most of the practical advice and guidance on offer.”
BCP Council continues to work closely with community and voluntary sector partners through the ‘Together We Can’ partnership, delivering a range of support, including in the following main areas, to provide effective relief to struggling households:
- Household grants for essential bills
The Citizen’s Advice BCP team can provide household grants to help with food and energy costs for eligible households through an application process. They can also provide wraparound support to help with issues such as benefits advice, homelessness and domestic abuse, as well as practical budgeting and debt management guidance.
HSF grant vouchers valued at £150 will be offered to eligible residents in two rounds over the funding period, meaning households could be entitled to up to £300 in support over the year.
Applications from qualifying households will be accepted in the following windows:
- 9 am on Monday 12th May 2025 to 4.30pm on Friday 4th July 2025
- 9am on Monday 21st July 2025 to 4.30pm on Friday 12th Sept 2025
- 9am on Monday 29th Sept 2025 to 4.30pm on Friday 21st Nov 2025
- 9am on Monday 8th Dec 2025 to 4.30pm on Friday 30th Jan 2026
Funds are limited compared to number of applications that are received, and grants are prioritised for the most vulnerable low-income households. For more information, visit the Citizen’s Advice HSF webpage, call Citizen’s Advice line on 0808 278 7939, or visit the team at any community outreach session.
- Food support
Food support can be accessed through the BCP Access to Food Partnership, made up of more than 300 individuals and 150 organisations working together to make sure everyone has access to food.
Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the partnership includes food banks, community fridges, social supermarkets, community meals and cooking workshops. Click here to view our interactive map of community food support and find a location close to you.
The HSF is also providing a school holiday food voucher scheme to help families with children. This is available to school age children directly through schools, and through the BCP Council’s Family Information Service for eligible children aged five or younger.
Eligible families could receive £15 per child during the May half-term holidays.
For more information regarding eligibility for children aged under five and how to apply, please contact the Family Information Service on 01202 093 131 or email familyinformation@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
- Keeping warm and energy support
Ridgewater Energy are offering practical advice to help you save money and keep your home warm. Through the HSF, grants are also available to enable residents to make heat-saving upgrades to their homes, such as installing loft or cavity wall insulation, along with other energy-saving measures to reduce bills.
The HSF also supports warm welcome community spaces that offer places to warm up in winter, and stay open in summer for meeting others, joining activities, getting a drink or meal, learning about cost-of-living support, or spending quiet time away from home.
We now have over 50 community spaces available, including space within 24 local libraries. Click here to view our interactive map and access a warm and welcome space close to you.
- Grants for community and voluntary sector organisations
BCP Council, working with Dorset Community Foundation, are providing small grants to local community and voluntary sector organisations that are helping residents with the cost of living.
Eligible organisations and groups can apply to the BCP Energy and Support Fund for up to £12,000 in HSF grant funding to deliver valuable initiatives. The grant fund is open until midday on 7 May for applications, with an additional grant round to come in Autumn.
If you are supporting people with the cost of living, please find out more about the grants available. For full eligibility criteria and to apply, complete an online application form by BCP Food and Energy Support Fund - Dorset Community Foundation.