Housing Payments

From the section: Crisis Payments

In this section:

Housing Payments

Housing Payments are not benefit payments. They are separate payments made at the Council's discretion in cases where it considers that extra help with housing costs is needed.

Housing Payments offer short term support to help you manage housing costs during financial difficulties or while you take steps to improve your situation, such as finding more affordable accommodation. Find out how they can help. 

Housing Payments are not intended as a long-term solution. 

Who can apply?

You may be eligible for a Housing Payment if:

  • you receive Housing Benefit, or
  • you receive Universal Credit that includes support for housing costs, and
  • you still have difficulty meeting your rent or housing expenses 

Each application is assessed on an individual basis, taking into account:

  • your household income and essential expenditure
  • your savings and assets 
  • your overall financial situation and level of need

If you are not eligible for a Housing Payment, you may still be able to receive help through a Crisis Payment or other services.

What can a Housing Payment be used for?

A Housing Payment can help with: 

  • rent shortfalls, where your benefit does not fully cover your rent, including those caused by:
    • the benefit cap
    • under-occupancy in social housing (sometimes called the “bedroom tax”)
    • Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates being lower than your rent
  • rent in advance or a tenancy deposit to help you secure a new home
  • rent arrears from a current or previous tenancy, where you were eligible for Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit at the time the arrears built up
  • costs associated with moving home, such as removal expenses, particularly where a move is necessary and cannot be planned in advance
  • other one-off housing-related costs, where they are essential to help you stay in your home or move to suitable accommodation

Housing Payments are intended to provide short-term support and are awarded based on your individual circumstances. Not all costs will be covered, and each application is assessed on its merits.

What can’t a Housing Payment be used for?

Housing Payments cannot be used for: 

  • costs that are not related to rent, such as service charges that are not eligible under Housing Benefit or Universal Credit rules
  • rent increases due to unpaid rent arrears, where the increase is a result of previous non-payment
  • housing costs affected by benefit sanctions or reductions, including where payments have been reduced due to non-compliance with benefit conditions
  • overpayments of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, where money is being recovered
  • periods when your benefit has been suspended, for example if required information has not been provided
  • costs where you are not entitled to Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit
  • Council Tax (please refer to Council Tax Discretionary Reduction in Liability for information on our Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme)

Housing Payments are discretionary and intended to provide short term support with housing costs. If you are not eligible for a Housing Payment, we may still be able to offer other help or refer you to support services.

How to apply

Before completing an application, please refer to our FAQs page for further information.

Apply for a Housing Payment

Contact us

If you need to contact us, you can:

If you need more information about the scheme, please read our policy.