What are Housing Payments?
Housing Payments replace Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP’s) from 1 April 2026.
It is part of wider temporary support which is provided through a new Government Grant called Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). The Crisis and Resilience Fund forms part of the authority’s wider offer of support aiming at reducing poverty and building financial resilience in customer’s longer term.
For most people, this housing support will be short‑term, upto 1 year.
This is because the budget is limited, so we are not able to help everyone and only for a short period of time even if you are trying to improve your situation.
To claim a Housing Payment, we need to see that you cannot afford your housing cost without help. We do that by looking at your income and what you spend your money on and the reason why you need help, and most importantly what actions you are taking or can take to help your situation.
You must also be entitled to:
- Housing Benefit (HB), or
- Universal Credit (UC) with housing costs towards rental liability. This includes Shared Ownership properties which carry a rental liability.
Housing Payments are a short-term support only and are not a long term income supplement.
You must not assume you will be entitled, even if you feel you need help to meet your housing costs or you have received a DHP in the past.
We will look at your whole circumstances when we assess your claim, and we may ask you to engage with other recommended support if we feel this will help, or it suits your needs better. This other support may be linked to employment, debt advice or income maximisation, so that you build greater financial resilience for the future.
Please be aware: claims for Housing Payments may take us longer to assess at certain times of the year, so you need to be aware of this.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may be entitled to Crisis Support. Please telephone our Welfare Assistance team on (0191) 643 2777 and press option 2 between 9.30am and 12.30pm, Monday to Friday.
There are often other types of help available from the authority and other organisations that you may be able to claim that will help your financial situation. Please look on the cost-of-living webpage.
Important: If you are moving into our area and need help with a rent deposit, rent in advance, or moving costs, you should contact your current local authority before you move. Applying to the correct authority as early as possible can help avoid delays and reduce the risk of missing out on available financial assistance.
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