In December 2025 the UK government announced a new fund called the Crisis and Resilience Fund. This replaces the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments which ended in March 2026.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) has been made available to local authorities in England to help people on low incomes when they face sudden money problems and supports activities that help people and communities become more financially secure.
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council currently administer the Housing Payments component of the Crisis and Resilience Fund. For information on other ways the wider fund may be able to help you, please visit Surrey County Council's website.
Discretionary Housing Payments are being replaced by the Housing Payments component of the Crisis and Resilience Fund, the CRF Housing Payments will closely replicate DHP and you will still be able to apply for them from Epsom & Ewell Borough Council in the 2026-27 financial year.
What are Housing Payments?
Housing Payments can provide financial support to those entitled to a qualifying benefit who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs.
What can Housing Payments help with?
Housing Payments may be able to help with:
- rental deposits and rent in advance
- costs associated with securing housing or downsizing (such as removal expenses or tenancy setup)
- Shortfalls between housing support and actual rent, including those caused by:
- the benefit cap
- Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy (RSRS)
- Local Housing Allowance (LHA)
Who can apply for Housing Payments?
These payments can be made to claimants who are entitled to either:
- HB, or
- UC with housing costs towards rental liability. This includes Shared Ownership properties which carry a rental liability.
Entitlement refers to individuals who are in receipt of, or qualify for, one of the benefits above but have not yet received payment.
Where an individual cannot access a Housing Payment, either because they are not eligible (in other words, not entitled to a qualifying benefit or owner-occupiers) or the Housing Payment allocation has been exhausted, they may be able to access further financial assistance through the Crisis Payment scheme, if they are deemed eligible.
How are Housing Payments different to DHP?
Housing Payments closely replicate DHP and we are able to use our existing application routes, policies and procedures to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing support.
How do I apply?
Applications for Housing Payments should be made online where possible.
Apply for Housing Payments online(link is external)
If you are unable to apply online, please contact us.
What happens next?
Our experienced officers will look at your application to see if additional help is needed. If we are satisfied that you are in need of further financial help for housing costs then you will be informed in writing of the extra weekly amount you will receive and the length of time the payments will continue.
Each application will be considered entirely on its own merits.
How much extra can I get?
This depends on your circumstances, but we cannot pay more than your eligible weekly rent.
What if I don't get any extra payments?
If you are not awarded Housing Payments, we will still consider underlying need and may signpost or, with your agreement, directly refer you to appropriate Resilience Services.
You will always be notified of the decision in writing.
What if I don't agree with the decision?
As Housing Payments are not the same as benefit payments, the normal benefit rules on appeals do not apply.
You cannot ask for an appeal tribunal but you can ask us to have another look at your application. A senior officer will then consider your application and you will be notified of the outcome in writing. This decision will be final.
Housing Payments will not be made for:
- Certain ineligible elements of the rent eg heating, lighting, water charges and charges to cover meals
- Increases to the rent due to outstanding rent arrears
- Department for Work and Pensions sanctions or suspensions where an amount of Universal Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance is reduced, suspended or lost
- Shortfalls due to HB or UC recovery
Stopping Housing Payments
We may stop the extra payments if there has been a change of circumstances such as your finances improving as additional money comes into the household, or other household members leave.
Payments may also stop if we decide you have failed to disclose the truth about your circumstances, whether fraudulently or otherwise, or if the payment was made in error. We may recover resulting overpayments from you.
Where can I find more information?
The guidance under which we operate this fund can be found on the gov.uk website.