From 1st April 2026, Discretionary Housing Payments have been replaced by the Housing Payment part of the Crisis Resilience Fund.
Housing payments can help if you're struggling to pay housing costs.
Housing costs can include:
- Shortfalls between your rent and your Universal Credit or Housing Benefit
- Rent in advance
- Rent deposits
- Rent arrears
- Other lump sum costs associated with a housing need, such as removal costs
Who can apply
These payments can be made to people who are entitled to either:
- Housing Benefit
- Universal Credit Housing Costs element
You must also have less than £3,000 in savings.
If you do not receive either of the above benefits, you may be able to receive emergency support through a Crisis Payment.
How much you could receive will depend on your circumstances. Each case is looked at individually and will be based upon a financial assessment of your household. We cannot guarantee we will definitely give you a payment.
Housing Payments cannot be paid for
- Ineligible Service Charges
- Increases in rent due to outstanding rent arrears
- Reductions in benefits due to a sanction or recovery of a Housing Benefit or Universal Credit overpayment
How to apply
Before making an application, please ensure that you have read the information above and that you are in receipt of the qualifying benefit.
You will need to provide recent bank statements of all of your bank accounts when applying. Please make sure you have these available.
Any evidence required in support of your application can be uploaded at the same time you complete the form, or, emailed to us at customers.benefits@dudley.gov.uk.
What happens next
If you are successful, we usually pay the money:
- Directly to your landlord, or
- Into your bank account depending on your situation
