Crisis Resilience Fund

Am I eligible for the Crisis and Resilience Fund?

Public Announcement: Changes to Discretionary Housing Payment

If you need this information in a printed format or you require it in large print please email benefits@hastings.gov.uk.

From 1 April 2026, the UK Government launched the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).

The CRF provides grant funding to councils in England to support residents facing financial crisis and to deliver preventative services that help strengthen financial resilience.

The Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) scheme has now ended. It has been replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) Housing Payment. The new fund will continue to provide short term financial support to eligible residents who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs.

Am I eligible for a CRF Housing Payment?

CRF Housing Payment can be provided to help pay rent and some associated costs such as shortfalls in rent, and in certain circumstances rent arrears, rent deposits, rent in advance, moving and storage costs.

To be eligible you must be in receipt of Housing Benefit (HB) or the Housing Element of Universal Credit (UC).

If you are asking for arrears to be considered you must have been in receipt of HB or the Housing Element of Universal Credit (UC) for the period that the arrears relate to, and the arrears must relate to a shortfall between the amount that you received and the rent payable.

The council considers that the scheme should be primarily seen as a short-term emergency fund. It should not be considered as a permanent way around any current or future entitlement restrictions set out within the Housing Benefit legislation. Hastings Borough Council will operate the Crisis Resilience Fund Housing Payment Scheme so that those they consider most in need will receive a payment. This means that not everyone who claims will receive a payment.

How do I apply?

To apply you will need to fill out the following form:

• CRF Housing Payment Form 

You will also need to provide information and evidence to support your application as stated within the application form, otherwise your application will be delayed.

If you need assistance to complete the application form, please speak to family and friends, if they are unable to help, please contact us at benefits@hastings.gov.uk. 

Crisis and Resilience Fund

The CRF Housing Payment is just one part of a new Government programme designed to:

• Provide support for people facing a financial crisis.
• Offer housing‑related financial support for eligible residents who face a shortfall in their housing costs.
• Fund a range of resilience services, such as help with budgeting, income maximisation, community coordination, and other preventative support.

The funding replaces both the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payment fund schemes and gives councils a broader remit to design local schemes that combine crisis assistance with longer‑term support for residents.

What this means for residents:

• Any support previously delivered under the Discretionary Housing Fund (DHP) and Household Support Fund (HSF) schemes will now be administered through the Crisis and Resilience Fund.
• The new fund allows for wider types of support, including cash‑first crisis payments, housing payments, essential household items, food support, and community‑based help.
• Support will continue to be needs‑based, with a focus on helping residents through immediate hardship while also improving financial resilience.

When does this change happen?

The Crisis and Resilience Fund officially began on 1 April 2026

Residents will soon start to see updated information, application routes, and local guidance from this date.

Further information

Hastings Borough Council will administer the Housing Payment element of the CRF while East Sussex County Council will administer the other elements, including:

• Crisis Payments, and
• Resilience Services

For more information on the other support available through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, please visit the East Sussex County Council Crisis and Resilience Fund information page where further updates are expected to be shared in due course.

Help for residents using oil heating

If you rely on heating oil and are struggling with the recent rise in prices, you may be able to get financial support. The Government has announced extra funding for low-income households, and this support will soon be available locally across East Sussex.

For further information, visit the Help for households using oil heating webpage

Help and advice to reduce your bills and debts

• Citizens Advice Bureau
• Money Supermarket
• Compare the Market