What's new on Shelter Legal
The pages on Shelter Legal are updated regularly to reflect changes in the law.
This page lists the most recent updates to Shelter Legal.
Discretionary housing payments
1 April 2026
On 1 April 2026, the way discretionary housing payments are administered changed. They are now called crisis and resilience fund (CRF) housing payments. Local authorities have been instructed to use the term CRF housing payments from now on instead of DHP and to update their materials as soon as feasibly possible. Authorities are permitted to continue to use old DHP application routes to allow for a smooth transition.
View amended articleDeductions from universal credit for non-dependants
1 April 2026
This page has been updated with the new non-dependant deduction rate for 2026/27.
View amended articleHousing benefit calculation rates 2026 to 2027
1 April 2026
This page contains housing benefit calculation rates for 2026 to 2027 including applicable amounts, treatment of capital, disregards, non-dependant and other deductions.
View amended articleRecovery of universal credit overpayments
3 February 2026
A new page which covers what an overpayment of UC is, who the DWP can recover overpayments from, and how they can recover them through UC deductions, earnings attachments and legal action.
View amended articleLocal authority investigatory powers
2 January 2026
This new page explains new local authority powers to investigate offences committed by private sector landlords from 27 December 2025. The powers have been introduced by the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and allow local authority officers to enter residential properties, business premises and seize documents.
View amended article