Rent Arrears, Deposit and Housing Help
Current routes to council, charity and government support in England
You may lose your home
Contact your council's homelessness team now. In England, the council must assess eligible requests from people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness within 8 weeks.
You cannot cover rent or a deposit
Ask your council about a Housing Payment and its Crisis Payment scheme. Housing Payments may help with a rent shortfall, deposit, rent in advance or moving costs.
Housing Payment
Discretionary help with housing costs through the Housing Payment strand of the Crisis and Resilience Fund.
Eligibility Requirements
- • Entitled to Housing Benefit, or
- • Entitled to Universal Credit with housing costs
- • Need further help with housing costs
- • Your council decides each application
How to Apply
Apply through your local council. Search its website for “Housing Payment” or “Crisis and Resilience Fund”.
Council Homelessness Help
Assessment and practical help if you are homeless or likely to lose your home within 8 weeks.
Eligibility Requirements
- • Homeless now, or
- • Threatened with homelessness within 8 weeks
- • Council assesses your circumstances
- • Different duties apply depending on your situation
How to Apply
Contact your council’s housing options or homelessness team as soon as possible.
Shelter Housing Advice
Independent housing advice covering rent arrears, eviction, homelessness and tenancy rights.
Eligibility Requirements
- • Housing problem in England
- • Advice available online
- • Emergency helpline for urgent cases
- • Local services vary by area
How to Apply
Use Shelter’s online advice or call the emergency helpline if you are at immediate risk.
Crisis Housing Support
Help for people experiencing homelessness, including local services and support to find a secure home.
Eligibility Requirements
- • Experiencing homelessness
- • At risk of homelessness
- • Services depend on location
- • Local referral rules may apply
How to Apply
Check Crisis services in your area or contact the general enquiries line.
What a Housing Payment can cover
- • Rent deposits
- • Rent in advance
- • Moving costs
- • Rent shortfalls
Who can qualify
You must be entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with housing costs and need further help with housing costs. Awards are discretionary: your council decides whether to pay, how much to award and how long support lasts.
Application Process
- 1. Find your local council's Housing Payment application
- 2. Explain the housing cost you cannot meet
- 3. Provide evidence of income and circumstances
- 4. Include tenancy agreement or property details
- 5. Ask what urgent help is available while you wait
Discretionary Housing Payments ended in England on 31 March 2026. Housing Payments replaced them from 1 April 2026.