Discretionary Housing Payment (Crisis Fund Housing Payment)

What CRF-HP can help with

Rent shortfalls

We may consider CRF-HP for rent shortfalls caused by: 

• a spare room that Housing Benefit will not pay for (bedroom tax) 
• rent on a second property that you have had to leave recently due to fleeing domestic violence
• your benefit being reduced as there's a non-dependant in the household 
• an increase in the size of your family 
• reductions to your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit due to a benefit cap 
• Local Housing Allowance - you're only entitled to the rate for a shared room or the maximum rate for 4 bedrooms 
• any other reason - for example your income is too high to be entitled to full help with your rent 

You must take action to reduce your reliance on discretionary support. For rent shortfalls, CRF-HP is normally awarded for 3 months at an initial rate, then reduced by 50% for up to a further 3 months. You are less likely to receive an award if you have applied before.

Rent in advance when moving

Please note you cannot apply for help with rent in advance if you have already moved into the property. You must apply and wait for our decision before moving. If you move before we decide, we will not help with rent in advance. 

Council or housing association tenants

If you are moving into a council or housing association property, we may help with up to 2 weeks' rent equivalent towards your rent in advance and deposit. You must arrange any remaining payment directly with your landlord.

Privately rented properties

If you are moving into a privately rented property, we may help with up to 4 weeks' rent equivalent towards your rent in advance and deposit. If your landlord asks for more, you must pay the difference yourself.

Payments for rent in advance or deposits will only be made directly to the landlord.

Moving costs

You must apply before you move. We may help with reasonable moving costs of up to £890 for moves within Arun. If you are moving out of Arun, we will consider what is reasonable based on the distance.

We will not award CRF-HP for you to move into Arun from another area. You must claim from the local authority where you currently live.

When you apply for moving costs, you must provide 3 removal quotes. We will decide which quote we will pay. You must also complete a change of address at the same time as your CRF-HP application.

Before awarding CRF-HP for moving costs, we will expect that: 

• the property is affordable 
• you have a valid reason to move 
• the moving costs are reasonable 

The costs we usually cover are the cost of a: 

• private van hire to move yourself 
• removal firm to move you 

We do not usually pay CRF-HP for the cost of fuel: 

• for using your own vehicle to move 
• used in a private hire van  

What CRF-HP cannot be used for

• rent arrears 
• Council Tax 
• service charges not covered by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit (gas, electric, water, meals) 
• increases in rent because you're in arrears 
• rent costs when your benefit has been reduced by the Department for Work and Pensions normally because of a sanction 
• when your rent payment is reduced due to recovering a Housing Benefit overpayment 
• extra payments you are making to clear rent arrears 
• a notice period if you have had to move properties at short notice (you may be eligible to claim Housing Benefit on 2 homes) 
• if you get Universal Credit but not the housing costs element 

How we decide applications

We do not award CRF-HP automatically when we receive an application. We review your application, any previous claims, your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction records, and the evidence you provide. We will usually ask for further evidence before making a decision:

• your household income 
• if you have any savings 
• if you or your family are disabled 
• if anyone else is living in the property who could help
• if there's any way you can rearrange your finances to improve your situation
• if you have any debts
• if the household could budget to reduce the shortfall
• any other relevant information 

How we will tell you about our decision 

We will write to you with our decision and explain the reason for it. We usually make a decision within 14 working days from the date we receive the final piece of evidence we need.

If CRF-HP is awarded, payments are normally made from the Monday after the application date for Housing Benefit customers, or from the start of the next Universal Credit assessment period for Universal Credit customers.

To apply

Before you apply, make sure you have: 

• your full income and expenses details 
• a copy of your Universal Credit award letter if you get Universal Credit 
• details of any arrears of debts you may have 
• details of anyone who lives with you including their income 
• your bank details 
• details of your new property (if applicable) 

Apply for a housing payment