Welcome to this week’s E News on the Citizens Advice Dorset website. The Advice Dorset Partnership is a network of organisations providing advice and support to residents of Dorset and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole. It is managed by Citizens Advice and is open to any organisation which provides information, advice and support/guidance to local residents.
The Advice Dorset Partnership E news is published fortnightly on a Thursday. However, if there is something urgent in-between we will send out a supplementary edition.
You can now subscribe to the newsletter (it is free and you will get an automatic notification when it is published) – and do encourage colleagues to subscribe too. The subscribe option is at the bottom of this page.
If you would like to send anything out via the bulletin, and for all other enquiries about the Advice Dorset Partnership, contact Thomas Hensher at Citizens Advice Central Dorset: [email protected]
National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers (NAWRA) Conference in Dorchester on Friday 5th June
Advice Updates
HOUSING
Renters’ Rights Act 2025 now in force in England
On 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA) came into force in England in the private rented sector. The RRA introduced some of the biggest changes in housing law in decades. Most significantly, private landlords are no longer able to grant new assured shorthold tenancies or serve section 21 notices to end a tenancy. If a private landlord wishes to seek possession they must use a section 8 notice, and give at least one of a list of grounds for eviction.
CRISIS AND RESILIENCE FUND (CRF)
On 1 April 2026, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) introduced the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). This new fund replaces short-term crisis grants and brings together housing-related discretionary support.
The main objective of this fund is to:
- give emergency financial support to residents on low incomes who are experiencing a financial shock and do not have the means to resolve it, and
- help people and communities become more financially stable so they can cope better in the long-term, reducing crisis need
The Government guidance for CRF describes a financial shock as:
Sudden income loss or unexpected expenses that can leave households struggling to cover basic living costs.
This can include:
- disasters: these will normally be unexpected and result in significant damage to, or loss of, household items or property, such as a serious flood or fire
- accident, health emergency or mental health crisis, leading to unplanned spending or an increase in costs
- when a resident is leaving an abusive relationship and needs immediate help, such as moving into an unfurnished property
- an essential household item being broken, for example a boiler, fridge or piece of medical equipment
- where money has been lost or stolen and living expenses are required
- when a resident has a short-term gap in regular income, for example, due to redundancy
For further details, see the Dorset Council website: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/crisis-resilience-fund and the BCP Council website: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/communities/cost-of-living-help/cost-of-living-help-with-money/crisis-and-resilience-fund-crf
BENEFITS
Changes to Free School Meals from September 2026
- From September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will become eligible for free school meals, regardless of income level.
- FSM will split into two categories:
- Targeted FSM: households on Universal Credit earning £7,400 or less annually.
- Expanded FSM: households on Universal Credit earning above £7,400.
- Transitional protections (which kept pupils eligible even if family income changed) end after the 2025–26 academic year.
CONSUMER
World Cup scams
Football fans are being urged to guard against scams when buying match tickets for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Lloyds data has shown that football ticket scams increased by over a third during the current Premier League season. Fraudsters focus on the most popular teams. They also target supporters looking for the most in-demand matches in the UK. These include the FA Cup Final, and the Champions League Final.
The government and Lloyds have teamed up to highlight the issue, as part of the Stop! Think Fraud campaign. They are advising people to:
- take their time
- be careful with social media adverts, especially on marketplace platforms
- don’t pay by bank transfer
- be wary to “too good to be true” offers
- use official club channels or authorised sellers
- be cautious of pressure tactics
- report fraud
You can read ‘Football fans urged to show fraudsters the red card ahead of World Cup’ on GOV.UK.
Rise in romance scams – Barclays scam bulletin
Barclays data has shown that romance scams were up 20% in the first quarter of 2025. This is compared to Q1 2024. The majority of these scams started on social media sites and online dating platforms. The average amount lost in 2024 was £8,000, up from just under £5,800 in 2023. Those aged 61 or over are most susceptible. The average claim for this group is £19,000.
You can read more about romance scams and how to protect yourself on the Take Five to Stop Fraud website.
IMMIGRATION
Clarification on EU settled status and absences
The Home Office have now confirmed that pre-settled status holders whose leave had lapsed after 2 years absence from the UK can benefit from the changes to the continuous residence requirement. This means that pre-settled status holders can qualify for settled status where they have 30 months’ residence in the most recent 60 month period, even if they had a 2 year absence before 21 May 2024.
You can read EU settlement scheme: caseworker guidance on GOV.UK.
Travelling with a EUSS family permit
The Home Office previously clarified that individuals who have a Certificate of Application (COA) can travel out of the UK while their EUSS applications are pending. However, they are now advising some family members not to travel if their EUSS family permit has expired. How an individual is treated if their EUSS family permit runs out while they are outside the UK is different depending on whether you are a visa or non visa national:
Visa nationals joining family members:
- will need a valid visa to re-enter the UK
- an in-date EUSS family permit is a valid visa
- if the EUSS family permit expires while abroad they will need to apply for a new one from outside the UK before travelling
Non- visa nationals:
- do not need a valid visa to re enter the UK
- do not need to apply for a new EUSS family permit after it has expired
- can travel back to the UK with a valid COA using the same document that is linked to the eVisa account
- carriers can confirm this automatically through HO checking systems
The Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA) has updated its travel advice about travelling with an expired EUSS family permit when a EUSS application is pending.
You can read ‘Important information when travelling with a EUSS family permit’.
Research and Reports
Why Welfare Advice Matters for Mental Health: Drawing on evidence from three partnerships between NHS mental health services and specialist charities (Citizens Advice and Accommodation Concern), Stability Beyond Care finds that embedding welfare advisers directly into inpatient wards and community mental health teams can contribute to preventing mental health and welfare crises before they escalate, and ensure that people receive the entitlements and protections they need to recover. Read the paper here.
High Housing Costs in the Private Rental Sector – The Case for Action: This paper from the Institute for Public Policy Research argues that escalating and insecure housing costs in the UK private rented sector are the result of structural policy failures rather than inevitable market forces, and that meaningful reform requires stronger tenant protections, rent regulation, and expanded social housing provision. Read the report here.
South West MoneyHelper Debt Advice: Paul Fox from South West MoneyHelper has produced an article on debt which you can read here: SW MoneyHelper Financial Wellbeing Network – April 2026.
It outlines some of the demographics around debt, signs to look out for and where to go for help.
Upcoming Events & Training
Retirement Planning for Gen Z, 20.05.2026, 14:00-15:00, online: The session led by guidance experts at MoneyHelper will explain how automatic enrolment works, the benefits of tax relief and the impact of saving more. This webinar is appropriate for all but particularly for those under 30 or who work with people under 30. Click here to sign up.
Accessible Volunteering: Opening the Door to More Volunteers, 02.06.2026, 10:00 – 11:30, online: This training led by Volunteer Centre Dorset introduces accessible and inclusive volunteering, helping organisations understand the barriers people may face and how small, practical adjustments can open volunteering to a wider range of individuals. It focuses on strengths based, flexible approaches that benefit both volunteers and organisations by building confidence, inclusion, and sustainable involvement.
This training is suitable for any organisations or groups that work with volunteers and wants practical, confidence building guidance on removing barriers, adapting roles, and creating welcoming pathways that benefit both volunteers and the organisation.
Developing a Communications & Marketing Plan, Thursday 21st May, 10:00-13:00, Volunteer Centre Dorset (Dorchester): This interactive workshop run by Volunteer Centre Dorset will take you through the essential steps in creating a communications/marketing plan for your voluntary group or organisation. They will cover:
– setting clear objectives
– understanding your audience
– finding the right channels
– creating engaging, accessible content
– evaluating your work
The session will include peer feedback, and each person attending will leave with an actional mini-comms plan. Be prepared to bring a piece of communications you are currently working on or planning, and think about what your biggest communications challenge is.
Funding
BH Coastal Lottery: The BH Coastal Lottery is a local fundraising initiative run by BCP Council, supporting small voluntary and community groups across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. The Small Grants Scheme provides funding to grassroots organisations delivering activities that make a real difference to local residents in BCP.
Constituted voluntary and community organisations (including charities and not-for-profits) with an annual income under £60,000, based in or delivering services to BCP residents are eligible to apply.
The following can be funded:
Ongoing activities or services that benefit BCP residents
Community-led work responding to clear local need
Projects that form part of your organisation’s regular delivery
Projects that promote volunteering
The following will not be funded:
One-off events or activities with no lasting benefit
Organisations funded in the last 12 months
Projects not clearly benefiting BCP residents
Deadline 14 June 2026.
Wessex Water Environment Fund: The current round of this Fund opened on April 17, 2026 and the deadline to apply is midday on May 18, 2026.
Wessex Water have £16,250 to distribute in this round.
In the last round, 54% of applicants were successful and the average grant was £1200.
Applicants must be based and working in Dorset or Ringwood.
Applicants must have been running activities for at least 12 months
Wessex Water do not fund national charities, including those with distinct services in Dorset.
BCP Crisis and Resilience Fund: The deadline to apply to the current round of this fund is midday on Thursday, June 4.
This programme distributes part of the funds allocated by the UK government’s Crisis & Resilience Fund to BCP Council. This is a three year scheme running until March 31, 2029. Organisations must work in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and funded activities must benefit BCP residents. Priority will be given to those based in the area. This fund complements a range of services that are being supported by the UK government’s Crisis & Resilience Fund, delivered by BCP Council and partners. The ‘crisis’ element is being delivered largely through the Housing Payments scheme and the Crisis Payments scheme, offering support to individual households. These services will provide a safety net for those on low incomes who encounter a financial shock. See the council’s webpage on the Crisis & Resilience Fund for more information.