(Formerly Known as Discretionary Housing Payments - DHP)
From April 2026 Discretionary Housing Payments has become a part of the Crisis and Resilience Fund created by central government. The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is a merger of the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments.
Discretionary Housing Payments have been renamed as Housing Payments
The main overall responsibility for CRF is with Surrey County Council.
For the financial year 2026 – 27 as the Surrey District remains two tier local government until the creation of a new West Surrey authority; the responsibility for the Housing Payment will remain at Spelthorne Borough Council and will be dealt with in the same way as the previous Discretionary Housing Payments.
Housing Payments (HP) are available for claimants receiving help with their housing costs through either Universal Credit or Housing Benefits who need further help with their housing costs.
- HPs are not available to help with Council Tax liability
- HPs are separate payments that are administered by the Housing Benefit office
- HPs are made at the discretion of the local authority
Example
- the Valuation Office decides the amount of "rent" that the Benefit Officer uses to calculate benefit. The benefit paid may then be lower than the rent shown on the tenancy agreement. If the claimant is suffering due to this Rent Restriction, because the benefit paid is lower than the full rent, the claimant can ask for a Housing Payment (HP) to cover the shortfall
- the Council may increase the rent figure to the full eligible rent where it is satisfied that there is a need for additional help with housing costs
- if benefit is suspended - a HP should also not be paid
- a HP would not normally be awarded if you are "sanctioned" within your Universal Credit award
There are no specific appeal arrangements because HPs are standalone discretionary payments, not payments of benefit. However, if you disagree with our decision, you may ask us to review it.
Other scenarios which may cause shortfall and require a need for additional help
- restrictions to HB due to the under occupation of social housing
- where prolonged sickness has caused extra expenditure
- wages have not been paid due to unforeseen circumstances. Your letter should explain the circumstances which have led to the shortfall you are experiencing
- restrictions to HB due to the application of the benefit cap
- restrictions in housing costs within your Universal Credit claim
To claim a Housing Payment, you need to write to Housing Benefits explaining the reasons for your request.
Housing costs do not include ineligible service charges e.g. heat, water, meals.
- The Council may need to know if you have tried to negotiate a rent reduction with the Landlord
- The Council may need to know if you are looking for a property at a lower cost and why it would be difficult to find suitable cheaper alternative accommodation
- Before HPs are awarded the Council must be satisfied that there are no other means of alleviating the shortfall
- The Council may not necessarily award the full rental amount, and any payment would be for a limited period, but could be reapplied for at the end of that period
- HPs cannot be given where the claimant is already in receipt of the maximum benefit
- Each case must be decided on its own special circumstances
- HPs cannot be given where there is no actual entitlement to benefit