The government gives the council a limited amount of money each year to provide CRF housing payments.

CRF housing payments are used to provide further financial help with rent costs for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit (Housing Costs) claimants who are suffering hardship because of unusual or difficult circumstances.

The payments are designed to help with the shortfall between rent costs and Housing Benefit or Universal Credit (Housing Costs).

The aim is to prevent homelessness, so CRF housing payment can also be used to cover rent arrears and rent deposits. Each case will be considered on its own merits.

Your application will be considered on your individual circumstances but there are a number of things that will be taken into account when making our decision:

• the threat of eviction
• whether it is reasonable to expect you to move to a more affordable property
• health problems or disability of anyone in your household
• attempts to renegotiate the rent with your landlord or to downsize to a more suitable property
• whether anyone else in the household can help financially
• your total income and outgoings and whether you could manage your finances differently
• whether you are getting all the financial help you are entitled to. For example, are there any tax credits or benefits you could claim.  

You will need to complete an application form, giving as much detail as possible about your circumstances and why you need a CRF housing payment.

You may be asked to provide your last two months statements for all your bank, building society and Post Office accounts to accompany your application. In some cases you may also be asked for additional evidence such as a letter from your doctor or medical specialist.

Finally, you will receive a letter telling you the decision and the reasons for that decision. If a CRF housing payment has been awarded, the letter will tell you the amount and the period of the award.

Each case is looked at individually so how much you get, and for how long, depends on your circumstances.

A CRF housing payment may not cover the full shortfall between your benefits and your rent and the length of each award will vary.

The amount awarded cannot be more than your total rent, less amounts for services such as electricity or water, as these cannot be paid for by Benefits or a CRF housing payment.

If your application is successful, the CRF housing payment may be paid direct to you by BACS or a payment is made direct to the landlord. The council will determine who is paid the CRF housing payment.

If you disagree with the decision, either not to award a CRF housing payment, the amount awarded or the period of the award, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again.

Contact us within four weeks of the date of the decision letter, telling us why you do not agree with the decision, and your request will be looked at again.

If your circumstances change, you must tell us straight away so we can look at your CRF housing payment again to see if there needs to be any change to the award.

If the change means your CRF housing payment is reduced, you might have to pay back some, or all, of the CRF housing payment already paid to you.