Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)– Housing Payment

Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)– Housing Payment formerly Discretionary Housing payments

From 1 April 2026, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) have been replaced by the Housing Payment part of the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). Housing Payments may be able to help if you’re struggling to pay housing costs.

To qualify for a Housing Payment you must be entitled to either Housing Benefit or Universal Credit (including the housing element) and need further help to meet your costs.

There are no set rules for awarding a Housing Payment. Each application is looked at on its own merits. For this reason we need to ask questions about your household, your rent, your income and outgoings. Housing Payments will be awarded on our discretion based on your circumstances.

Below are some examples of when a Housing Payment may be made:

A pregnant woman moves into a home that will be suitable for her and her baby (when born). The maximum entitlement is restricted because the property is considered to be too large for one person prior to the birth of the baby.
A disabled person lives in a ground floor flat near to a clinic they attend for therapy. They could get a cheaper flat but it would not suit their needs and it would mean higher transport costs that they cannot afford.
A claimant's partner has died within the last twelve months resulting in reduced income.
If you are at threat of losing your home due to falling into rent arrears due to circumstances beyond your control.
If you need to move house and require rent in advance, please note you must already be in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with housing element at your current address.

Housing Payments cannot be made for:

Ineligible service charges
Increases in rent due to outstanding rent arrears
Reductions in benefits due to a sanction or recovery of a Housing Benefit or Universal Credit overpayment

We have a policy to make awards for a maximum period of 13 weeks at a time. Housing Payments are not suitable for long-term use and should not be relied upon for any length of time.

You will need to provide recent bank statements of all your bank accounts when applying and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Apply for a Housing Payment

Website feedback

Was this page useful? ^Required

Yes No

Consent for storing submitted data; ^Required

Yes, I give permission to store and process my data

Please tell us how we can improve the page;

Your email address;

Please complete;