Crisis and Resilience Fund policy

12.1 A Housing Payment will only be awarded where the applicant meets the following conditions:

• the applicant is entitled to and in receipt of Housing Benefit (HB); or
• the applicant is entitled to and in receipt of Universal Credit (UC) that includes the housing costs element towards a rental liability; and
• there is a shortfall between the applicant’s eligible rent (actual rent minus any ineligible service charges such as water, heating, meals, or personal charges) and the amount of housing support they receive.

12.2 A Housing Payment cannot be awarded for the following:

• to meet increases in rent arising solely due to outstanding rent arrears
• to cover mortgage costs
• to pay Council Tax
• to cover any shortfall created by recovery of benefit overpayments
• for individuals with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), as entitlement to HB or UC is a mandatory eligibility requirement

12.3 Housing Payments may be used to support applicants with:

• rent in advance to secure a new tenancy
• rental deposits, when needed to obtain accommodation
• removal and relocation costs linked to securing or maintaining accommodation
• shortfalls caused by:
• the Benefit Cap
• local Housing Allowance (LHA) restrictions
• the Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy (RSRS)