Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment Scheme Policy 2026 to 2027

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) Housing Payment Scheme provides discretionary financial assistance to residents who are unable to meet their housing costs due to financial hardship or crisis.

The scheme aims to:

• prevent homelessness
• support tenancy sustainment
• provide short‑term financial assistance
• promote longer‑term financial resilience

The scheme operates from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029 and replaces Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs). It is delivered in line with Government guidance for local authorities.

Housing Payments may be awarded for the following housing-related costs:

• rent shortfalls where Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs do not meet full rent liability
• rent arrears where necessary to prevent eviction and where arrears have arisen due to a financial crisis
• rent in advance and tenancy deposits to secure accommodation
• reasonable removal costs and tenancy-related setup costs

Housing Payments will only be awarded for housing-related costs. Support for essential household items, subsistence, or emergency needs will be considered under the Crisis Payment element of the Fund.

All awards will maintain a clear distinction between Housing Payments and Crisis Payments for reporting and monitoring purposes.

Meets the criteria

Crisis Resilience Fund Housing Payments can be awarded to residents receiving:

• Housing Benefit
• Universal Credit with a housing cost element

Applicants must:

• have lived in the Borough for at least one calendar month
• be aged 16 or over
• be liable for housing costs
• be experiencing financial hardship or difficulty meeting housing costs

Eligibility will be determined based on financial need, risk of hardship or homelessness, and individual circumstances. Applications from individuals with no recourse to public funds will be considered in accordance with CRF guidance and on a case‑by‑case basis where appropriate.

Does not meet the criteria

The following groups will not normally be eligible, although discretion may be applied in exceptional circumstances:

• people who do not reside within the Borough
• residents in long-term care with no intention of discharge
• hospital in-patients with no planned discharge
• individuals lawfully detained

How to apply

Applications for a Crisis Resilience Fund housing payment must be submitted by the applicant, a support professional, or partner organisation. An applicant form can be completed online via our online form or alternatively using a paper application form that can be downloaded or obtained by calling Customer Services on 01642 393939.

Supporting information

The applicant will normally be required to provide all supporting information at the time of the application. Where this is not possible it must be supplied within 10 working days of submitting the application. If the applicant does not provide the information or request an extension due to exceptional circumstances, after 15 working days of the application it will be closed.

While exact requirements may vary, the type of information and evidence required, will usually include:

• proof of identity
• proof of address
• telephone and email contact details
• household composition
• household income and expenditure
• bank statements
• wage slips
• benefit award
• rent liability
• arrears and debts
• details relating to the crisis or situation
• information from partner agencies

Assessing the application

All applications will be assessed on their individual merits, taking into account:

• the level of rent shortfall
• steps taken to reduce housing costs
• financial circumstances including income, expenditure and savings
• health, disability, or vulnerability
• debt levels and engagement with advice services
• housing circumstances and need
• any exceptional factors

The Council will also consider opportunities to improve financial resilience, including referral to:

• income maximisation services
• debt advice
• employment and support services

Decision-making

Decisions will be made by officers within the Revenues, Benefits and Welfare Service.

All determinations are discretionary and based on the individual circumstances of each case. Decisions will normally be made within 21 working days of receiving all required information.

Applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome and if unsuccessful, reasons for the decision.

Conditions for support

Conditions may be attached to awards where appropriate, including:

• refusal to engage with support or advice services
• taking steps to improve financial or housing circumstances

These conditions may result in refusal of a repeat application.

Payment start date, duration, frequency and limits

The amount and duration of each award will be determined based on the individual circumstances of the case.

Awards will normally be short-term and designed to provide stability while longer-term solutions are explored. Previous awards may be considered but will not automatically prevent further support.

Payment methods

Payments may be made:

• directly to the applicant via BACS
• to landlords or third parties
• as a credit to rent accounts

Backdating payments

Backdating may be considered where necessary to prevent hardship and where supported by evidence.

Housing Payments can only be awarded for periods where Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs are in payment.

Changes in circumstances

Applicants must report any changes promptly that may affect their award.

The Council will reassess entitlement where circumstances change and may recover overpayments where appropriate.

Housing Payments are discretionary and do not carry a statutory right of appeal.

Applicants may request a review within one calendar month of the decision. Reviews will be conducted by an officer not involved in the original decision and will consider whether the decision was reasonable and consistent with policy and guidance.

Outcomes will normally be provided within 15 working days.

Where a partner organisation is supporting the resident, any request for review must be made in the presence of the resident and with their explicit consent.

Monitoring

The Council will ensure effective governance through:

• quarterly monitoring of activity and expenditure
• annual policy review
• audit case sampling
• equality and poverty impact monitoring

The Council will comply with all Department for Work and Pensions Management Information reporting requirements and ensure accurate classification of expenditure. Total expenditure will be managed within the Council's allocated Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment funding, in accordance with Annex E of the national guidance.

Data protection

The Council's Crisis Resilience Housing Payment Scheme processes personal and sensitive information. The Council will process personal data in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. A Data Protection Impact Assessment will be maintained and reviewed as required.

Fraud

The Council will take appropriate action where fraud is suspected. Providing false information may constitute an offence under the Fraud Act 2006 and may lead to investigation and recovery action.