Discretionary Housing Payments

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) provide financial support to help with rent or housing costs.

Eligibility

You can apply for a DHP if you currently get either:

  • Housing Benefit
  • the housing element of Universal Credit and need more financial support with housing costs

We will take your circumstances into account to see if you are eligible, including when:

  • you have unavoidable extra expenses due to short term illness or significant health problems
  • you are having difficulty paying your rent whilst you look for cheaper accommodation
  • the Local Housing Allowance does not cover your full rent
  • your income has reduced due to the benefit cap
  • you are receiving Universal Credit and have a rental liability
  • you are receiving less housing benefit because you are under occupying  your property
  • your choice of housing was beyond your control due to urgency or special needs
  • you have unusual or special circumstances
  • you moved into the property you could afford the rent but your circumstances changed and you cannot move until your tenancy ends
  • you need help with short term rental costs until you are able to secure and move to alternative accommodation
  • you need help with short term rental costs while you look for employment
  • you need help with ongoing rental costs if you are a  disabled person in adapted accommodation
  • you need help with ongoing rental costs for foster carer
  • you need help with short term rental costs for any other reason.

We will also consider other factors, including:

  • if you have savings
  • if anyone in the household can provide financial help
  • if you have other debts
  • if you have chosen to rent an over-expensive property without the means to pay the rent
  • if you have tried to re-negotiate the rent with the landlord.

Apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment

Payments

If you are awarded a DHP, we will tell you the amount you will get and when payments will start.

Rent will be paid directly to the private landlord or housing association and the DHP will be included in your Housing Benefit payments. If your rent is paid to the council, the DHP will be paid into the rent account inline with your Housing Benefit.

If your circumstances change and you are overpaid, you must repay the overpayment. It is very important to tell us about any change of circumstances. 

Tell us if you have had: 

  • an increase in income
  • change in household composition
  • change of rental liability/address.

 

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