You can apply for help if you’re struggling to pay your rent or Council Tax. This is a short, one-off payment if you’re facing exceptional financial hardship.
If we accept your application, you could get:
- a discretionary housing payment, to help towards your rent
- a Council Tax hardship fund payment, to help towards your Council Tax
A discretionary housing payment could include help to cover a rent shortfall. A Council Tax hardship payment can help if you cannot pay your full Council Tax bill.
We’ll consider everything you tell us about your situation to make our decision.
This includes:
- if you or anyone in your family has a physical or mental health issue, learning disability or long-term health condition
- if you are a carer
- any other reasons you cannot meet your living costs, such as high utility and food bills
- if you receive Housing Benefits or housing costs within Universal Credit
- if your landlord has made changes to your home to adapt to your disability
- if you’re struggling to pay council tax because of changes to your council tax support
Give as much information in your application as you can.
If you cannot use the online form, download the discretionary housing payment and Council Tax hardship fund application form: