Crisis Resilience Fund

Citizens Advice Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (CABCP) and Ridgewater Energy are working with BCP Council to deliver a crisis payments scheme to provide short‑term crisis support for BCP residents.

For the purpose of this scheme, a crisis is defined as someone who experiences a sudden, unexpected event or shortfall in income that leaves a person unable to meet essential living needs, creating immediate risk without urgent support.

What crisis payments can help with

Crisis payments are one‑off, needs‑based payments designed to help with essential, non‑housing costs, including:

• Food and essential groceries
• Gas, electricity or heating emergencies
• Replacing essential items
• Urgent travel linked to work, safety or healthcare

Payments are intended to address immediate need and prevent problems from escalating. They are not ongoing payments.

Crisis situations may include:

• Sudden suspension or loss of benefits
• Unexpected loss of income
• Fleeing domestic abuse or unsafe accommodation
• Theft or loss of essential items
• Emergency travel required for safety or healthcare
• Lack of power, heating or essential utilities
• An unforeseen essential expense that removes all disposable income

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

How to apply

Applications and eligibility assessments are delivered by Citizens Advice Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on behalf of BCP Council.

If you believe you meet the criteria listed above please complete the form, linked below. You will need to set up an account on the platform used, Funding Connect. Please note that by applying, you are permitting Funding Connect to share your details with Citizens Advice BCP.

You will need to upload all required information and and documents as part of the application process. You will receive a response to your application through the Funding Connect platform via direct email to your inbox.

Citizens Advice can offer:

• Help to check if you’re eligible
• Information on payment amounts
• Advice and support alongside any payment

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

If you are having difficulties with the online application:

Where possible we encourage eligible applicants to apply online, however, we do appreciate this is not possible for everyone. If you do meet the eligibility criteria, but cannot access the online form, there are the following ways you can access support:

Email: CRF@citizensadvicebcp.org.uk

Adviceline: 0808 2787939 (Open Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)

Please be aware our phone lines do get extremely busy, and whilst we aim to answer all calls, there are times during the day where it may not be possible.

Alternatively, you can visit one of the drop-in sessions below, where an adviser can assist you:

Bournemouth Civic Centre: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (10am-2:30pm)

Christchurch Library: Monday- Friday (9:30am- 12:30pm)

Poole Library: Monday- Thursday (10am-2:30pm)

Our drop-in service does get busy, therefore, to secure a space, please arrive at 9am to register to see an adviser on the day. Spaces are limited and the drop-in and is operated on a first-come first-served basis.

If you cannot attend one of the above sessions, we do offer Outreach sessions in local community spaces. To find out more please click here.

Important information about housing cost support

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. For more information, please visit: Housing Payment | BCP

Financial Resilience Support

As part of a crisis payment, applicants complete a financial assessment called ‘Let’s Talk Money’. This helps them manage the immediate crisis and tackle the underlying causes to prevent it happening again. This programme is also available to any BCP household struggling with the costs of living. You do not need to have applied for a crisis payment in order to access this support.

If you would like more advice and support to help with your financial situation, Citizen’s Advice can help support you through the Let’s Talk Money programme. The project aims to build and support your finances; by ensuring you receive the right income, and supporting you with debt and budgeting advice  if you have fallen behind with any payments.

To access support, please contact us via our online webform or come to one of our drop-in sessions below, on how to be referred for support.

Bournemouth Civic Centre: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (10am-2:30pm)

Christchurch Library: Monday- Friday (9:30am- 12:30pm)

Poole Library: Monday- Thursday (10am-2:30pm)