Financial support for rent, cost of living, housing and crises

This information applies to England and Wales.

You might be eligible to apply for extra financial support from your local authority if you need help with:

  • the cost of living
  • a crisis that causes a financial shock
  • your rent costing more than your benefits
  • covering your deposit when you move

In England, this scheme is called the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).

The housing-related support was previously called Discretionary Housing Payment.

Crisis and Resilience Fund

In Wales, the schemes are called Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) and Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).

Discretionary Assistance Fund

Discretionary Housing Payment

Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) in England

The CRF has 2 different strands:

  • Crisis Payment
  • Housing Payment

These payments are grants. You do not need to pay them back.

There are different requirements for applying to the strands.

Crisis Payments

Crisis Payments have replaced the Household Support Fund in England.

You do not have to get benefits to be eligible for Crisis Payments.

Crisis Payments are for occasional or short-term needs. They support low-income households to:

  • manage a financial shock that causes a sudden, unexpected expense or drop in income, for example a serious flood, redundancy, a health emergency or a car breakdown
  • prevent crisis, for example from not having food, shelter, heating or essential items

Your local authority will have their own eligibility criteria. This includes what is considered a low-income in your area. They should consider people’s circumstances and needs. For example:

  • disabilities
  • unpaid carers
  • families with children
  • homelessness
  • care leavers

The payments might be made in:

  • cash
  • vouchers
  • goods, for example a fridge

Contact your local council to find out how to apply for a Crisis Payment from the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Housing Payments

Housing Payments have replaced Discretionary Housing Payments in England.

Housing Payments are for housing costs:

  • rent in advance
  • rental deposits
  • removal costs
  • shortfalls between housing support and actual rent

To be eligible you must get or quality for:

If you are not eligible, you may be able to get a Crisis Payment.

Contact your local council to find out how to apply for a Housing Payment from the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) in Wales

The DAF provides 2 types of grants:

  • Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP)
  • Individual Assistance Payment (IAP)

You do not need to pay back the grants. There are different requirements for applying for the grants.

Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP)

You can apply for EAP if you are:

  • in extreme financial hardship, for example have lost your job or are waiting for your first benefits payment
  • experiencing a crisis that leaves you without money for food, fuel or other essential items

To get a grant, you must:

  • be in a crisis situation and in need of immediate financial support
  • live in Wales
  • be over 16
  • have no other money

Apply for an Emergency Assistance Payment (gov.wales)

Individual Assistance Payment (IAP)

IAP can help you or someone you care for live independently at home if you:

You can get:

  • a fridge, washing machine or other white goods
  • furniture such as beds, sofas and chairs

To get a grant you must:

  • live in Wales
  • be over 16
  • not be living in a care home or prison (unless you are being discharged in 6 weeks)
  • not be a member of a fully maintained religious order

There are more criteria you must meet as well. You can find out more from wales.gov.

Eligibility for an Individual Assistance Payment (gov.wales)

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) in Wales

Discretionary Housing Payments are for housing costs:

  • rent in advance
  • rental deposits
  • removal costs
  • shortfalls between housing support and actual rent

To be eligible you must get or quality for:

Check if you are eligible and how to apply (gov.wales)

Other schemes and grants

If you are not eligible for a scheme or your application is denied, there might be other grant schemes you can apply to, such as:

  • local welfare assistance schemes run by your council
  • independent charities that offer grants

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Disability grants

Last reviewed by Scope on: 01/04/2026

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