Emergency support

You can apply to the discretionary support fund if you live in Croydon and are in financial hardship and need emergency support.

Discretionary housing payments

Discretionary housing payments are made towards housing costs where a person receives Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and they need help with:

  • a shortfall in rent
  • an advance in rent or a deposit
  • removal costs
  • rent arrears (extreme cases only)

It is not automatically awarded because your Housing Benefit does not cover your rent.

What is not covered

Discretionary housing payments cannot be used to cover:

  • service charges that are not included in your rent
  • overpayments of Housing Benefit
  • second adult rebate claims
  • support charges for people living in supported accommodation
  • deductions in Housing Benefit for any other adults over the age of 18 in the household (this can be decided on a case by case basis)

Eligibility

To be eligible for discretionary housing payments, you must:

  • receive Housing Benefit from Croydon Council or the housing element of Universal Credit
  • have an affordable long term solution
  • have a fully completed budget planner including income and expenses

What you need before you apply

Before you submit your application, make sure you can provide the following evidence.

Shortfall in rent Removal costs Rent in advance deposit
Budget planner Budget planner Budget planner
Last 3 months bank statements A minimum of 3 removal quotes 3 months bank statements
  3 months bank statements Landlord's contact details
  Tenancy agreement for new property Full address of new property including postcode

Developing an action plan

If a discretionary 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

Apply for a discretionary housing payment

Download a discretionary housing payment application form (PDF, 60 KB)

Please return your completed form to:

Discretionary support team
Email: dhp2@croydon.gov.uk

Discretionary support team
London Borough of Croydon
Bernard Weatherill House
8 Mint Walk
Croydon, CR0 1EA.

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