At risk of losing your home?
If eviction, possession action or homelessness is possible, get housing advice and contact the relevant council or housing authority now.
EVICTION & COURT HELPIf housing costs are becoming unaffordable, act early
Different support applies depending on whether you rent or own your home, what benefits you receive and which UK nation you live in. Keep rent statements, tenancy or mortgage documents, benefit decisions and evidence of income and essential spending.
Rent shortfall?
You may be able to get extra housing-cost help through your council or housing authority.
CHECK YOUR UK NATIONLow income?
Check Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax support and any other benefits you may be entitled to.
CHECK BENEFITSNeed emergency help?
Local crisis schemes may help with essential costs and, in some areas, housing-related needs.
EMERGENCY FINANCIAL HELPMain Help With Rent & Housing Costs
Universal Credit housing costs
Universal Credit may include help towards rent for eligible people. The amount depends on your circumstances and eligible housing costs.
Housing Benefit
New Housing Benefit claims are generally limited to particular groups, including many people of State Pension age and some people in supported, sheltered or temporary accommodation.
Extra local housing-cost help
If benefit support does not cover all the rent, additional help may be available through your council or housing authority. The scheme differs by UK nation.
Housing-Cost Help Across the UK
England
From 1 April 2026, Discretionary Housing Payments in England were replaced by the Housing Payment strand of the Crisis and Resilience Fund.
Housing Payments can support eligible people receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs. Local authorities have discretion and may help with rent shortfalls, rent deposits, rent in advance and some moving or tenancy-setup costs.
If you are not eligible for a Housing Payment, a council's Crisis Payment scheme may still be relevant depending on local rules.
Wales
Discretionary Housing Payments continue in Wales. You may be able to apply if you receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and need further help with housing costs.
A Welsh DHP can potentially help with a rent shortfall, rent deposit or rent in advance, depending on the council's decision and your circumstances.
The Welsh Discretionary Assistance Fund is separate and can provide emergency or independent-living grants for eligible people, but it is not designed to pay ordinary ongoing bills.
Scotland
Discretionary Housing Payments are devolved in Scotland and are administered by local councils. They can help renters receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs when further help is needed.
Scottish DHPs can be relevant to benefit-cap or bedroom-tax effects and, in some cases, Local Housing Allowance shortfalls, deposits, rent in advance or removal costs.
Scotland also has separate Scottish Welfare Fund support for crisis or community-care needs.
Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive can provide Discretionary Housing Payments where there is a qualifying shortfall between eligible Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs and the rent charged.
The Housing Executive is the key body for housing-cost and homelessness support in Northern Ireland.
If You Own Your Home
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) may help some people receiving qualifying benefits with interest on a mortgage or certain loans secured on the home. SMI is a loan, not a grant, and normally has to be repaid with interest when the property is sold or ownership is transferred.
If mortgage arrears are building, contact the lender early and get independent debt or housing advice. Do not wait for court papers before asking for help.
Council Tax, Rates & Local Charges
Help with local taxation differs across the UK. In England, Scotland and Wales, people on low incomes may be able to get Council Tax Reduction or local Council Tax support. Northern Ireland uses domestic rates rather than Council Tax.
Rent Deposits, Rent in Advance & Moving Costs
Some discretionary housing schemes can help with a deposit, rent in advance or moving costs. Local councils may also operate rent-deposit, bond or homelessness-prevention schemes.
- Ask the council's housing-options or homelessness team whether it has a deposit or bond scheme.
- Ask whether discretionary housing-cost support can cover rent in advance or a deposit.
- If you are moving because of homelessness, disability, domestic abuse or unsuitable housing, explain this clearly and provide evidence where available.
- Do not pay a deposit to an unknown landlord or agent without checking the property and payment arrangements carefully.
Rent Arrears, Eviction or Homelessness Risk
Housing-cost support is especially important where arrears are already increasing. Do not assume that applying for financial help automatically pauses an eviction or possession process.
- Keep every notice, rent statement and court document.
- Contact the landlord or housing provider and ask for an up-to-date rent statement.
- Check benefits and additional housing-cost support immediately.
- Contact the council or relevant housing authority if homelessness is possible.
- Get independent legal or housing advice if possession proceedings have started.
England and Wales: the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service can provide free legal advice and, where appropriate, in-court assistance to people at risk of losing their home.
What Evidence to Gather
Housing evidence
Tenancy agreement, rent statement, mortgage statement, possession notice, deposit request or moving-cost quotation.
Income evidence
Benefit award notices, Universal Credit journal/statement, wages, pension income and recent bank statements where required.
Why you need extra help
Evidence of disability, domestic abuse, caring responsibilities, children, homelessness risk, health needs, exceptional costs or other relevant circumstances.
Where Else to Get Help
Independent advice can help with benefits checks, debt, rent arrears, housing rights and applications for discretionary support.