Discretionary Housing Payments
DHP assists people who need extra help to pay their rent when Housing Benefit or Universal Credit does not cover the full amount.
If you are suffering severe financial hardship or your tenancy is at risk, you may be able to get a Discretionary Housing Payment to help you.
We have a limited amount of money to make these payments and can only make payments to those in greatest need.
Eligibility
- You are already getting Housing Benefit.
- Your Housing Benefit is less than your full rent (apart from costs like heating or water, which it doesn’t cover).
- You have an award of Universal Credit (UC) that includes a housing element.
Housing costs usually mean rent, but they can also include other expenses such as:
- rent in advance
- deposits
- lump sum costs associated with housing needs such as removal costs
Before you apply:
- talk to your landlord to see if you can pay a lower rent
- see if you can find a cheaper place to live
- get advice from other organisations about how you can improve your situation
What's covered
- Extra costs, like someone in hospital
- Hardship after losing your job or benefits
- Risk of losing your home where a DHP award would prevent this
- Support for moving to a smaller home due to bedroom tax
- Vulnerable situations, such as care leavers or domestic abuse victims
Factors considered when making a decision include:
- shortfall between Housing Benefit and rental liability
- steps taken to reduce rental liability
- disability and health needs of household members
- financial situation, savings, and debts
- exceptional circumstances and vulnerability
- impact on Council resources if award isn’t given
What's not covered
- Council Tax
- Service or support charges not covered by housing benefit
- Shortfall caused by recovering an overpayment
- Excessive rent or arrears
- Benefit reductions due to fraud or sanctions
- If your Universal Credit does not include a housing element
Length of award
DHPs are usually short-term help with rent.
If you still need help after your payments end, you will need to reapply.
Awards usually start from the Monday after we receive your written claim, but can be backdated in some cases.
For more information about claiming a Discretionary Housing Payment, call the Benefits team.
Change of circumstances
If you claim housing benefit and something in your life changes, you must write to tell us.
Examples include:
- a change in your income
- starting or stopping work
- household changes (someone moves in or out)
- leaving the property
- changes in savings or investments
- changes in non-dependent household members’ income
Make an application
You need to include details of your :
- income
- expenditure
- any other relevant information
Applications forms are also available from the Benefits Section.
What happens next
We will tell you the result within 28 days of getting all the information we need, or as soon as possible after that.
If we decide that we can make a payment, we will write to tell you how much you will be paid and for how long.
If we decide that we can't make a payment, we will write and tell you the reasons for our decision.
Request a review
If you don’t agree with our decision, you can ask us to review the decision.
The request must be made in writing by the person who applied for the Discretionary Housing Payment (or their appointee).
You must send your request within one calendar month of the date on your decision letter.
An independent officer will look at your case again and let you know the outcome.
