Crisis support

Cost of living support

Plymouth City Council is working with local organisations to provide support for residents of Plymouth who are in a financial crisis because of an emergency or other unexpected circumstances.  

Who is eligible for a crisis referral

You must live in Plymouth and one or more of the following apply:

• you've just started a new job and won't be paid for a while (you will need to provide evidence of employment)
• a crisis such as illness has affected your ability to manage day to day essential living expenses
• an unexpected bill arrives, such as funeral expenses, that puts you in financial crisis
• there has been a change in your benefit entitlement. For example, a suspension or a change of circumstances or you are waiting for a new benefit claim to be assessed. You will need to apply for a short term benefit advance, hardship payment and/or budgeting loan from the job centre before we can refer you to Foodbank

You are not eligible for crisis support if you do not live in Plymouth, or if:

• you have already had three referrals to Foodbank within the last 12 months
• you have failed to take advantage of support offered
• you have access to financial help from other sources, such as friends and family
• you are unable to provide evidence if asked for to support your crisis referral
• your needs could be met though eligibility to budgeting loans, short term advances (formally benefit alignment payments), cold weather payments, winter fuel payments or requirements under Fair Access to Care Service (FACS)
• you have been banned from using the Foodbank or Oasis premises

Apply for a crisis referral

If you think that you are eligible for a crisis referral phone 01752 668000.

Find out what benefits and financial support you may be able to get

Use the government's online tool to find out what support you might be able to get to help with your living costs. You can get benefits and other financial support if you're eligible.

Check what benefits and financial support you can get

Continue reading

• Cost of living support
• Heating and energy support
• Food and shopping support
• Money and financial support
• Housing and homelessness support
• Mental health support
• Employment and training support
• Children, young people and families
• Help and support for carers
• Warm and welcoming spaces
• Crisis support
• Free internet and wi-fi access support
• Travel and transport
• Tips to help you save money
• Help from the government - view all of the cost of living support schemes that you could be eligible for and apply today

How to submit an organisation or community group to this website

If you are an organisation or community group and can help support people living in Plymouth, please complete our online form, and we will add you to this directory.

Submit your offer of help and support 

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