Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment
The Housing Payment (HP) element of the Crisis and Resilience Fund started on 1 April 2026 and replaced Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).
Housing Payments provide financial help with rent or housing costs.
Who can claim
You can claim if:
- you pay rent
- you already get Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit
- you are struggling to pay your rent even with Housing Benefit and Universal Credit
What a Housing Payment can cover
We can award a Housing Payment if:
- there is a shortfall (difference) between your rent and the amount of your Housing Benefit award or housing element of Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit have been reduced due to the Benefit Cap
- households have a spare room in the house they are renting (often referred to as the 'bedroom tax')
- you are under 35, rent a one-bedroom property and your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element is restricted to a shared room rate
We may also be able to award a Housing Payment for the following (dependant on funding and policy):
- rent in advance or a deposit
- rent arrears within the current year
- non-dependant deductions
We cannot award Housing Payment for:
- Council Tax
- ineligible service charges included in the rent, for example, water rates, heating or meals
- increases to rent to cover rent arrears which are not eligible for Housing Benefit
- reduction in any benefits due to a recovery of an overpayment
Apply for Discretionary Housing Payment (opens new window)
