Introduction

The Household Support Fund Round 7 closed on 28th February 2026, it is to be replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Kent Support and Assistance Fund (KSAS) is also closed

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) has been made available to Kent County Council to support low-income households who encounter a financial shock and to support activity that builds individual and community financial resilience. This funding covers the period of 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029 inclusive. This includes specified funding for housing support.

The Housing Payment element will commence from April 2026 and replaces Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs).

Crisis Payment

Kent County Council (KCC) will deliver a CRF Crisis Payment scheme that offers payments to individuals in crisis. They will allocate their budgets to aim for Crisis Payments to be available all-year round. Crisis Payment schemes will be cash-first and operated primarily on an application-basis.

Kent County Council will use the CRF to offer support to low-income households to:

individuals who have experienced financial shock. A financial shock is a sudden, unexpected expense or drop in income, that can place pressure on their budget and wellbeing, or
prevent individuals from entering crisis. Providing timely support so that people can manage pressures, maintain control and avoid being pushed into crisis or prevent crises from escalating.

It is important to note that Crisis Payments are intended to meet occasional or short-term needs and cannot provide an alternative source of regular income.

There is no prescriptive list which provides a comprehensive definition of the type of crisis that causes a financial shock. It is at KCC’s discretion to determine whether an individual’s situation constitutes a crisis, but it may include:

disasters – these will normally be unforeseen and result in significant damage to, or loss of, possessions or property, such as a serious flood or fire, gas explosion or a chemical leak
accident, health emergency or mental health crisis, leading to unplanned spending or incurring increased expenses
when an applicant is experiencing domestic abuse and leaving an abusive relationship/partner and needs immediate help, such as moving into an unfurnished property and needing help with furniture and appliances
breakage of an essential item, for example a boiler, medical equipment or white goods
where money has been lost or stolen and living expenses are required
when the applicant has a short-term gap in regular income, for example, due to redundancy or a significant change in working pattern

There is no prescriptive list specifying eligible expenditure for Crisis Payments; it is at the KCC’s discretion to determine appropriate support by taking a person-centred, needs-based approach. However, it may include awarding a Crisis Payment to support:

food
water including for drinking, washing, cooking, as well as for sanitary purposes and sewerage
housing costs
period and hygiene products such as soap and toothpaste
energy for any form of fuel that is used for the purpose of domestic heating, cooking or lighting, including oil or portable gas cylinders
clothing including uniform, warm winter clothing and shoes
essential furniture and appliances such as beds and bedding, washing machines, window coverings and carpets, fridge-freezers and ovens
essential transport-related costs such as repairing a car, buying a bicycle or bus pass or paying for fuel
digital and connectivity essentials such as broadband or phone bills

Establishing eligibility

The Fund is intended to support a wide range of low-income households and, as such, Crisis Payments are not limited to those in receipt of benefits. KCC have flexibility to apply their own discretion when determining eligibility for their Crisis Payment schemes, including what constitutes a low-income in their area. This is in line with the Fund’s person-centred and needs-based approach.

Individuals with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)

Those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) would not be eligible to receive support. However, KCC may be able to rely on alternative powers to provide support. Examples include,

there to be a child welfare concern, a Crisis Payment can be made to a person with NRPF to safeguard and promote the welfare of a child in need under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989
that an adult has eligible needs for care and support or that a carer has eligible needs for support, and those needs do not arise solely from destitution or from the actual or anticipated physical effects of being destitute, the CRF may be used as a funding source to meet needs under Section 18 or 20 (as applicable) of the Care Act 2014
that an adult has needs for care and support that the Authority is not required to meet under Section 18 of the Care Act 2014 (in other words, non-eligible needs), and those needs do not arise solely from destitution or from the actual or anticipated physical effects of being destitute, the CRF may be used as a funding source to meet needs under Section 19 of the Care Act 2014 (for example, to prevent a breach of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (prohibition against inhuman or degrading treatment))
it appropriate for improving the public health of the people in its area, a Crisis Payment can be made to a person with NRPF under Section 2B of the National Health Service Act 2006

Cash-first approach

A crisis could be for the provision of food, utilities, household goods or other essentials. For this reason, KCC will adopt a cash-first approach to awarding Crisis Payments. A cash-first approach prioritises cash payments (including physical and digital methods such as physical cash, bank transfer and cash-out vouchers), however, cash-first does not mean cash-only.

Vouchers

There will be instances where awarding vouchers is preferable to cash payments. KCC will treat awards on a case-by-case basis and use their discretion when to award vouchers over cash payments.

In-kind provision of goods

There may be instances where provision of goods in-kind is the most appropriate mechanism of Crisis Payment as KCC can use their economies of scale to obtain items that are of better value for money than if the applicant purchased directly. This could include where an individual is moving into unfurnished accommodation or the breakage of essential items, such as fridge-freezers and cookers.

Families with children

KCC will use their discretion to prioritise funding efficiently within their own CRF schemes, including when considering how best to support families in crisis to ensure the poorest children do not go hungry in the school holidays. This may not be through the blanket provision of vouchers to those on free-school meals.

KCC will also consider how the needs of affected families will continue to be met through the CRF’s Resilience Services and Authorities’ wider local welfare offer. This could include:

ensuring families eligible for Free School Meals are aware of and can access Resilience Services. Particularly support to ensure families are claiming all welfare support they are entitled to.
coordination with the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, which supports children from lower-income families by providing free meals and enriching activities during school holidays. Authorities can choose to use the CRF funding to supplement or expand HAF provision, where it aligns with the Fund’s outcomes on resilience.
engaging with families at risk of food insecurity by working closely with schools and Family Hubs.
community food aid that promotes the development of new, creative approaches that align with CRF outcomes to build resilient local food landscapes

Heating Oil Scheme

In March, the Government announced that heating oil support funding will be provided to help with the cost of living concerns that have been caused by global conflict.

KCC has now passed some funding to Ashford Borough Council to operate a heating oil scheme.

Please visit this webpage for information on the criteria for the new heating oil support scheme.

Please fill out this form if you would like to apply for Heating Oil Support.

Housing Payment

Discretionary Housing Payments have been replaced by Housing payments within the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Housing Payments may be awarded where the applicant is entitled to:

Housing Benefit (HB), or
Universal Credit (UC) with an element for housing costs, including Shared Ownership properties with a rental liability.

And where :

Evidence is provided which demonstrates that you are in financial hardship and that your tenancy or housing situation will be at risk if further support is not provided.

Housing Payments cannot be paid to those with NRPF. This is because the eligibility criteria for Housing Payments requires an individual to be entitled to Housing Benefit (HB) or Universal Credit (UC).

Types of costs included in the Housing Payment

Housing costs can include:

Rental liability (ongoing rent)
Rent in advance
Tenancy deposit
Removal or relocation costs
Other lump-sum payments essential for securing or preventing homelessness Housing Payments cannot be greater than what you’re responsible to pay for your weekly rent. They are not long-term payments. They are awarded on a short-term basis while you take action to improve your circumstances. Support can be provided through our Financial Welfare Team
Payments will usually be made to the applicant, but we may pay your landlord in certain circumstances

How to Apply in Ashford

You’ll need to tell Ashford Borough Council (ABC):

what help you need
why you think you should get extra payment towards your rent
what your circumstances are
any action you have taken to help yourself
the money you have coming in to your household (income) and the money you pay out each week/month (expenditure).
you will also need to provide recent bank statements for all accounts held by you and your partner ( if you have one)
an up-to-date rent statement from your landlord showing any arrears outstanding and payments you have made

You can start you application by completing this form

You’ll also need to send supporting evidence separately by uploading it on the website, by email to benefits@ashford.gov.uk or by post to Benefits, Ashford Borough Council, International House, Dover Place, Ashford. TN23 1HU Remember to include your name and address on any paperwork you send.

Method of payment

The Housing Payment may be delivered through HB payment systems and may also be paid alongside HB payments.

If the Housing Payment is paid with HB, notifications to the claimant must clearly show the amount of HB and the amount of the Housing Payment. For UC claimants, ABC payments may align with UC schedules.

Payments may be made to third parties (such as agents, appointees and landlords) where appropriate, with fraud risk considered.

In the case of a person who is entitled to a rent rebate, the Housing Payment can be credited to the rent account.

How ABC make a decision

When you have completed and submitted the claim form ABC will consider all aspects of your circumstances before they decide if they can award you a Housing Payment.

They may contact you to ask for further information and discuss your application

CRF housing payments cannot be awarded for any of the following:

Ineligible service charges
Sanctions and reductions in benefit under regulations 100 to 114 of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 or due to a breach of a community service order
shortfalls caused by Housing Benefit and/or Universal Credit overpayment recovery
Periods of Housing Benefit suspensions where there is a doubt in entitlement or because it has not been possible to assess entitlement as sufficient information has not been provided for the housing benefit claim. If you are awarded a Housing Payment and we later find out you should not have been entitled to it, we may ask you to return the money.

Request a review of the decision not to award a payment

If your application for a Housing Payment is turned down and there is something you feel ABC have not considered or were not aware of, you can ask them to look at the decision again.

You must contact ABC by email at benefits@ashford.gov.uk or write to us using the address above within one month of the date that your claim is turned down.

How to apply to Folkestone & Hythe District Council

Complete the application form, you may need;

your benefit claim reference number, if known
details of household income and expenditure
details of how much rent you are charged and landlord details including bank details
to upload evidence to support your application eg copies of pay slips, tenancy agreement showing rent amount

Apply for HP

Submitting your evidence

Just before you submit the online form, you will be provided with a list of any evidence required to process your application. If you cannot upload the documents to the form immediately, you can use the button below to submit your evidence at a later date.

Submit your evidence

How to apply to Dover District Council

You can only apply for a housing payment if you are currently entitled to housing benefit or the housing costs element of Universal Credit. There are no set circumstances, but you will need to prove that you are in need of further help.

If you want to apply for a housing payment you will need to fill in an application form. The form will allow you to write down the reasons why you think you need extra help. You will also need to fill in a form to show the money you have coming in and the money you spend.

The council will look at the following when they make a decision:

your income
your savings
if anyone else in your house can help you
if you have any loans or debts
if you could manage your money better
if you or anyone in your family is ill or disabled; and
if you have tried to put the situation right.

They will ask you for a lot of information and may ask you to come to see us to discuss your claim in more detail.

They will send you a letter telling you the decision and the reasons for that decision.

Apply for a Housing Payment

Uploading your evidence

Just before you submit the online form, you will be provided with a list of any evidence required to process your application.

Upload your evidence

If you disagree with a decision

If you disagree with the decision not to give you a housing payment, the amount the council have decided to give you or how long they will give you a housing payment for, you can ask them to look at the decision again.

You should write to us within one calendar month of the date on the decision letter, telling them why you do not agree with the decision.

You cannot appeal to the Tribunals Service if you disagree with our decision not to pay you a housing payment.

Contact the council

Last Updated on May 6, 2026 by Ashford Advice