Apply for Housing Payments

1.0 Overview

1.1 Background

From 1 April 2026, the Government introduced the Crisis & Resilience Fund (CRF) to support low-income households experiencing financial hardship. Funding is provided under Section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003.

Housing Payments form part of the CRF and replace the previous Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) scheme.

1.2 Purpose

These guidelines set out how the council will administer Housing Payments to provide discretionary financial assistance to residents who require additional help with housing costs.

1.3 Principles

The council will:

• act fairly, reasonably, and consistently
• apply discretion based on individual circumstances
• target support to those most in need
• ensure effective use of public funds
• support wider corporate priorities including homelessness prevention and financial resilience

2.0 Objectives

Housing Payments aim to:

• prevent homelessness and sustain tenancies
• reduce poverty and financial hardship
• support vulnerable households
• enable access to suitable and affordable housing
• assist residents during periods of transition or crisis
• reduce reliance on temporary accommodation
• promote independence and community stability

3.0 Eligibility

3.1 Qualifying conditions

To be eligible, applicants must:

• be entitled to Housing Benefit (HB) or Universal Credit (UC) with housing costs
• have a rental liability
• require additional financial assistance to meet housing costs
• reside within the council area or be placed in temporary accommodation by the council
• provide sufficient information and evidence to support their application

3.2 Non-Eligible applicants

The following are not eligible:

• Owner-occupiers (including mortgage interest cases)
• Applicants receiving only council tax support
• Applicants with no eligible housing cost shortfall

4.0 Scope of awards

4.1 Eligible ongoing support

Housing Payments may be awarded to assist with:

• rent shortfalls caused by welfare reforms (e.g. Benefit Cap, LHA, bedroom tax)
• non-dependant deductions or housing cost contributions
• rent restrictions determined by the Rent Officer
• temporary dual housing liabilities in exceptional circumstances
• short-term financial support to prevent homelessness

4.2 Lump sum awards

One-off payments may be made for:

• rent in advance
• tenancy deposits
• removal and relocation costs
• costs associated with securing accommodation

These will normally be considered where:

• there is a risk of homelessness
• the property is affordable and sustainable
• the applicant has exhausted alternative options

5.0 Exclusions

Housing Payments will not normally be awarded for:

• ineligible service charges (e.g. furnishings, white goods)
• increased rent due to arrears
• benefit sanctions or suspensions
• council tax liabilities
• shortfalls arising from overpayment recovery
• costs where no entitlement to HB or UC housing costs exists

6.0 Financial assessment

6.1 Assessment approach

Each application will be subject to a full financial assessment considering:

• income (including benefits)
• reasonable expenditure and household outgoings
• savings and capital
• debts and financial commitments
• household and personal circumstances
• medical and disability-related needs

6.2 Capital and income

• Applicants may be expected to utilise available savings
• Certain disability-related benefits may be disregarded
• A balanced approach will be applied to ensure fairness

7.0 Priority groups

The council may prioritise the following groups:

• Households at risk of homelessness
• Survivors of domestic abuse
• Disabled individuals or households in adapted accommodation
• Families with dependent children
• Young people leaving care
• Households with complex medical needs
• Residents transitioning from homelessness

8.0 Determination of awards

8.1 Amount of award

• Determined on a case-by-case basis
• For ongoing awards, will not exceed the eligible rent or housing cost shortfall
• Lump sum awards may exceed this limit where justified
• Subject to available budget

8.2 Duration

• Intended as short-term support
• Normally up to 26 weeks for initial awards, however each case will be assessed on its own merits
• May vary depending on individual circumstances
• Not intended as a long-term subsidy

8.3 Repeat applications

• Considered on a limited basis
• May be reduced in amount or duration
• Prioritised for vulnerable households

9.0 Application process

9.1 Submitting an application

Applications may be submitted:

• online
• in writing
• via an authorised representative

Applicants must provide supporting evidence to enable assessment.

9.2 Verification

The council may verify information with external agencies, including the Department for Work and Pensions.

9.3 Timescales

Applications will normally be processed within a reasonable timeframe (e.g. 21 days where possible).

10.0 Decision making and payment

10.1 Decision making

• Decisions are discretionary and based on individual circumstances
• Applicants will be notified in writing of:
  - outcome
  - reasons
  - amount awarded
  - duration of award

10.2 Payment arrangements

Payments may be made to:

• the applicant
• their landlord
• a third party where appropriate

Payments will normally align with HB or UC cycles where applicable.

11.0 Changes in circumstances

Recipients must notify the council of changes to:

• income or benefits
• household composition
• housing circumstances

Awards may be revised or ended following a change.

12.0 Reviews and appeals

12.1 Review process

• No statutory right of appeal
• Applicants may request a review within one calendar month
• Reviews will be undertaken by an independent officer
• Decisions following review are final

13.0 Backdating

• Considered on a case-by-case basis
• Requires good cause for delay
• Restricted to periods where HB/UC entitlement exists

14.0 Ending awards and overpayments

14.1 Ending awards

Awards may be ended where:

• circumstances change
• the need for assistance ceases
• the award was made in error or based on incorrect information

14.2 Overpayments

Overpayments may be recovered where:

• there has been misrepresentation or failure to disclose information
• an administrative error has occurred

15.0 Fraud and compliance

• The council operates a zero-tolerance approach to fraud
• Suspected fraud will be investigated
• Recovery and legal action may be taken

16.0 Budget management

• Awards are subject to the available CRF allocation
• Once funds are exhausted, further applications may be refused
• Expenditure will be monitored to ensure effective use of public funds

17.0 Governance and review

This policy will be reviewed annually or in response to:

• legislative changes
• funding changes
• operational requirements

The council will ensure compliance with:

• Equality Act 2010
• data protection legislation
• public sector governance standards

18.0 Effective date

These guidelines apply to all applications received on or after 1 April 2026.

When people are charged rent it sometimes states in their tenancy agreement that the rent includes a service charge.

Some of these charges can be included within a Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs claim, and are called eligible housing costs.

Examples of service charges that may be included in your eligible rent are:

• cleaning of communal areas (such as halls and passageways)
• connection to a communal radio or television arial
• services provided by caretakers
• children’s play areas

However, there are service charges that you can't claim for, such as:

• fuel and water charges (unless it's for a communal area)
• personal laundry
• cleaning of rooms and windows (other than communal areas)
• transport
• meals or groceries (housing benefit uses set figures as a meal deduction)
• television rental and license fee
• leisure items like recreation facilities
• personal care and support

Ineligible service charges are not paid by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs. If there is a shortfall in the amount of housing support your receive and the amount of rent, you must pay your landlord.

Unfortunately, Housing Payments are not available to make up this shortfall.