Emergency support

You can apply for help if you live in Croydon and are in financial hardship and need emergency support.

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Help with a shortfall in rent and rent arrears

A housing payment can be awarded for a short time usually 3 months if you are struggling to pay your ongoing rent or if there is a shortfall in the rent, you will need to demonstrate:

What You will need to apply 

  • Your Universal Credit statement
  • Proof of income for anyone over 18 years in your household
  • Completed budget planner
  • Last three months bank or building society statements for all accounts held by anyone over 18 years in your household
  • Evidence of the rent you owe, including any repayment plans and the exact amount if you're behind on payments
  • Letters from any debt or financial assistance agencies detailing your current financial situation
  • Proof that you're actively searching for more affordable housing options, for example, letters from your landlord, offers you've received on Home Swap, and details of properties you've viewed
  • Letters or emails related to job applications and interviews 

What is not covered

  • Housing payments cannot be used to cover:
  • Increases in rent due to outstanding rent arrears
  • Sanctions and reductions in benefit
  • Benefit suspensions
  • Shortfalls caused by Housing Benefit  or Universal Credit over payment recovery

Eligibility

  • To be eligible for a housing payment, you must:
  • receive Housing Benefit from Croydon Council or the housing element of Universal Credit for an address in the London Borough of Croydon
  • Residents must report the following changes in circumstances to the Enablement Team:
  • change in household income
  • change in household
  • moving to a new accommodation
  • Changes in circumstances must be notified to the Enablement Team within one month from the date of change.  Any delays will affect your Housing Payment assessment.

Developing an action plan

If a housing payment is awarded, it is generally only for a short period of time, as we will work with you to develop an action plan to afford your own rent. This could involve one or more of the following:

  • moving to more affordable accommodation
  • looking for employment or increasing working hours
  • budgeting in order to maximise income
  • seeking additional supporting benefits to help maximise your income if you are impacted by your health, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Apply for a housing payment

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