Extra help with your rent
Housing Payments were introduced on 1st April 2026 and replaced discretionary housing payments (DHP). Housing Payments are funded by the UK government through a grant called the Crisis and Resilience Fund.
The payments are discretionary awards that provide tenants with additional help towards their rent. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis to ensure fairness and consistency within decision making, and ensure funds remain available to support residents throughout the year.
To qualify for a Housing Payment
There must be an award of:
- Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with housing costs and
- a shortfall between the amount of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs received and the amount of rent charged
Information and evidence
Information and evidence will be requested and verified to support an application for a Housing Payment. Any evidence provided on the claim for Housing Benefits will also be considered, for example, evidence of income, benefits, capital, and household details.
- A financial statement may be required in support of an application
- You may also be asked to outline any steps you have taken, or intend to take, to help improve your financial circumstances, so that a fair and informed assessment can be made
You will have one month to provide any information and evidence required for us to proccess your application. If the relevant information is not provided in this time, your application will be closed.
How much will be awarded
The amount we award will be decided on a case by case basis. We will consider:
- the shortfall between the award of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with housing costs and the rental liability
- any steps taken by you to reduce your rental liability
- the total household income and expenditure for you and your family
- any medical or special circumstances for you and your family
Who will we pay
We will decide the most appropriate person to pay based on the circumstances of each application. We can pay:
- the customer
- an appointee
- the landlord (or an agent of the landlord); or
- any third party to whom it might be most appropriate to make payment
How will the payment be made
Payment will be made as soon as possible following the decision to award a Housing Payment.
- Council tenants - the payment will normally be credited to your rent account
- Private tenants - the payment will be paid by BACS
Changes in your circumstances
If you are receiving a Housing Payment you should report to us any change in your circumstances.
An award of a Housing Payment may be revised or withdrawn where a customer’s circumstances have changed.
Overpayments
We may recover any overpaid Housing Payment. If we decide to recover a housing payment, an invoice will be issued to the customer or the person to whom the award was paid.
Applying for a Housing Payment
If you require financial assistance towards your housing costs, complete the application for a Housing Payment.
Decision
We will notify you in writing of any decision we make regarding your application for a Housing Payment.
If your application is unsuccessful, we will let you know the reasons your application has been unsuccessful. We will also explain your right to have a review
Referrals for further support and assistance
If you apply for a Housing Payment, we will consider if you should be referred for further support from other crisis and resilience services.
- Referrals for additional support will only be made with your consent and understanding of the purpose and nature of any assistance you may be offered
- We encourage you to take up any additional support offered to gain the greatest benefit from the assistance available
- If you choose not to engage with further support without a clear reason, this may be taken into account when any future applications for Housing Payments are considered