From 1 April 2026, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are being replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).
The Crisis and Resilience Fund is a government‑funded scheme that supports residents on low incomes who are experiencing financial hardship. It is designed to provide immediate help during a crisis and, where possible, to prevent future difficulties by connecting residents to wider support services.
The fund forms part of the council’s wider local welfare support offer and is delivered in line with national government guidance, focusing on providing help when it is needed most.
Housing Payments
Housing Payments replace DHPs from April 2026 and follow similar eligibility rules. They provide short‑term financial help with housing costs for residents who are struggling to pay their rent and are at risk of hardship or homelessness.
Housing Payments can be used to help with:
- Rent shortfalls
- Rent arrears
- Rent in advance
- Rental deposits
- One‑off housing‑related costs, such as removal expenses to secure suitable accommodation
They are intended to provide temporary support, not a long‑term solution, and are awarded where additional help is needed beyond Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.
Who can apply
You may be able to apply for a Housing Payment if you:
- Receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit that includes a housing element, and
- Are experiencing financial hardship and cannot meet your housing costs
Housing Payments cannot be paid to homeowners or to people who are not entitled to Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.
How Housing Payments are paid
Housing Payments may be:
- Paid directly to you
- Paid to your landlord
- Credited to your rent account
Payments may be made as a one‑off award or for a short period, depending on individual circumstances.
Crisis Payments
The Crisis and Resilience Fund also includes Crisis Payments, which provide emergency financial support for essential living costs. Crisis Payments are administered by Hertfordshire County Council, and applications are managed directly through the County Council.