Assessing your application
When we receive your completed form we may need to request further information and/or documents to support your application.
We will look at your application and send you a letter to let you know the decision, usually within 14 working days of receiving all the information.
If you have been awarded payments
If you have been awarded a Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF) Housing Payment the letter will let you know the amount and the period it covers. This can vary according to each case.
If you have had a change of income or circumstances
You must let us know. This includes:
- an increase in wages or any other income
- Universal Credit, Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance ending
- anyone joining or leaving your household
Report a change of circumstances
If you disagree with the decision
We will tell you the reason for the decision. You do not have the right to appeal. You can ask us to look at the decision again within one month of it being refused if you have new evidence and information to support your application.
Overpayments
We will seek to recover any Housing Payment found to be overpaid. An invoice will be sent to you, or the person the award was paid to in some circumstances. The decision letter notifying there is an overpayment will set out the right of review.
How payments will be made
Awards are normally made in a lump sum for:
- rent deposit
- rent arrears
- rent in advance
Rent shortfall awards are weekly for a limited period. This period may be longer, if your circumstances have not changed, and you still meet the criteria for the award.
We will pay the award to you or your landlord (or their agent) as either a lump sum or every four weeks by BACS. Your letter will tell you when payments will be made. Help with rent in advance and deposits will normally be paid to your new landlord.