Crisis Programme
St John's Foundation's Crisis Programme provides one-off grants to people and families across Bath and North East Somerset to help cover essential items and support.
This might include:
- Rent arrears
- Utility bill arrears
- Council tax arrears
- White goods (for example fridges or washing machines)
- Furniture and essential household items
- Removal costs
- Household repairs and decoration
- Bankruptcy or debt relief order fees
- Courses or qualifications that support employment
- Counselling or mentoring
- Funeral expenses
To be eligible for support from the Crisis Programme, you must live in the Bath and North East Somerset area.
Your monthly disposable income (the income remaining after essential living costs) must normally not exceed:
- £250 for a household with no dependent children
- £275 for a household with up to two dependent children
- £300 for a household with three or more dependent children
In some circumstances, this limit may be higher if the household is larger or there are exceptional circumstances.
Individuals cannot apply themselves - it must be done through a referral organisation. If you are currently receiving support from a professional organisation – such as a housing association, B&NES Council Social Care, a family support service, Citizens Advice or a homelessness service – they can submit an application on your behalf.
If you are not sure who can refer you, you can contact the B&NES Community Wellbeing Hub on 0300 247 0050. They will be able to offer advice and help connect you with a suitable referrer.
The referrer needs to create an account if they do not already have one and will need to answer questions about the individual or family requiring support. Documents such as bank statement or benefits statements may also be required to confirm eligibility.
If St John’s Foundation has provided funding to the household within the past two years, this will be considered as part of the assessment.
Once an application is submitted, they aim to respond within five working days. If the situation is urgent, they may be able to respond sooner.
If approved, the referrer will receive an email confirming what support has been agreed. For essential household items, the individual may be asked to contact the supplier directly to arrange delivery.
Where items are not provided through their usual suppliers, a retail voucher will be to the referrer by email. Digital copies of receipts should then be provided within 14 days to confirm the agreed items have been purchased.