Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payments (formerly known as DHP)

If you're struggling to pay your rent or housing costs, you may be able to get extra financial support through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) Housing Payments.

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is funded by the UK Government and will run until 31 March 2029. The fund provides support to people experiencing financial hardship, including help with essential costs such as food, energy and household items, as well as services to help improve long-term financial resilience.

This page explains CRF Housing Payments only. If you need help with other essential living costs or would like to find out about the wider support available through the Crisis and Resilience Fund, please visit Worcestershire County Council's Crisis and Resilience Fund webpage.

Who can apply?

You may be able to apply if you receive:

• Housing Benefit from Worcester City Council, or
• the housing costs element of Universal Credit.

What can CRF Housing Payments help with?

You may be able to get help if you're struggling with housing costs because of:

• the Benefit Cap
• the Under Occupancy (Bedroom Tax) reduction
• Local Housing Allowance (LHA) restrictions
• non-dependent deductions
• the costs of moving into a new home, such as a rent deposit or removal costs.

What can't CRF Housing Payments help with?

CRF Housing Payments cannot be used to pay for:

• utility bills, meals or personal care
• historic rent arrears
• Housing Benefit overpayment deductions
• Council Tax.

If you need help with any of these costs, you may be able to access other support available through the wider Crisis and Resilience Fund via Worcestershire County Council.

How much could I receive?

The amount you receive depends on your individual circumstances.

CRF Housing Payments are intended to provide short-term support. They are not designed as a long-term solution, and each application is assessed individually.

As part of your award, we may ask you to take steps to improve your financial situation. This could include moving to more affordable accommodation, downsizing, taking in a lodger (where appropriate), or reducing non-essential spending.

If your circumstances change while you're receiving payments, you must let us know as soon as possible, as this could affect your award.

How do we decide?

When we assess your application, we'll consider:

• your income and benefits
• your savings
• any loans or debts
• whether anyone else in your household can contribute towards the rent
• whether anyone in your household has a health condition or disability
• what you've already done to try to meet your housing costs
• whether you're due the return of a tenancy deposit.

If you don't agree with our decision

If you think we've made the wrong decision, you can ask us to review your application within one month of the decision date. Please include any additional information or evidence that you think should be considered.

We'll write to you with the outcome of the review. As CRF Housing Payments are discretionary, there is no further right of appeal after the review.

How to apply

To apply for CRF Housing Payments, please complete our application form.

Apply for CRF Housing payments 

If you are unable to complete the online application for exceptional reasons, call 03004 560 560 to request a paper application form.

You can upload your supporting evidence as part of your online application. If you can't provide it at that time, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Please include:

• your name
• your address
• your application reference number provided on submission.

We aim to make a decision within 28 days of receiving your application and all the supporting evidence we need.

If you're looking for support with food, energy costs, household items or other financial difficulties that are not covered by CRF Housing Payments, please visit Worcestershire County Council's Crisis and Resilience Fund webpage to find out what other help may be available.