Housing Benefit

Discretionary Housing Payments

The Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) scheme can give you limited short term help paying your rent. 

Before we can give you a DHP:

• You can only apply if you already receive Housing Benefit (HB) or the housing element is included in your Universal Credit (UC)
• You must require additional help with your housing costs i.e. have a shortfall between your rent and benefit entitlement
• You must have already spoken with your housing provider about your rent payments
• The council must have sufficient funds available to cover the cost of your DHP.

You cannot use it for:

• Ineligible service charges for HB
• Increases in rent due to outstanding rent arrears
• Sanctions and reductions in benefit
• Council Tax support through the local Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

We take into account:

• The shortfall between HB and the housing component of UC and the contractual rent
• The income and expenditure of you and your household
• Any savings or capital held by you or your household
• Any steps taken to reduce your rental liability. For example, have you tried or are you actively seeking alternative cheaper accommodation
• Any future changes in circumstances that will lead to an increase in HB entitlement or UC entitlement
• Did you find out what your Local Housing Allowance would be before moving into the property?
• Were you aware of any restrictions on HB as a result of under occupation?
• Have you applied for all available sources of income available to you?
• The level of debt and committed expenditure of you and your family.

How to apply

• Please read the Discretionary Housing Payment Guidance Notes before you complete the application form 
• Download and complete the Discretionary Housing Payment Application Form 
• You must also provide evidence of your current expenditure.