Discretionary Housing Payments Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) are extra payments that we are able to make if you require additional financial assistance to meet your rent or council tax payments.
These payments will:
- Only be made if you are already in receipt of Housing/Council Tax Benefit
- Be paid together with the payments of Housing/Council Tax Benefit
- Be paid for a limited period of time
- Be paid from a specific fund which is limited by Central Government
These payments will not be awarded to cover:
- Ineligible services
- Support charges
- High market rents
- Second adult rebate claims
- Any reductions in state benefits as a result of a sanction issued by the Department for Work and Pensions
A DHP is not automatically awarded because you are unable to meet any excess rent payments; we will consider all applications on their individual merits. It is therefore important that all relevant information and evidence is included with the application.
For example you will need to:
- Explain why the payment is required
- Demonstrate the effect of not receiving this payment (e.g. suffering from hardship)
- Detail any relevant financial and personal circumstances
- Detail any action which is being taken to help resolve the situation
Once a decision has been made you will be advised accordingly. However, it should be remembered that these payments are awarded at our discretion and can be withdrawn at any time. You will not be able to appeal against our decision as these are not payments of Housing/Council Tax Benefit. But you can request that we reconsider our decision. To support this request it is essential to provide supporting information and evidence.
DHP payments will be awarded for a limited period. If you are still unable to afford your rent/council tax payments after the period ends you can reapply. However you will need to demonstrate that you have made every effort to resolve the short fall in rent/council tax.
For example:
- Sort alternative accommodation
- Negotiated a low rent with you landlord.
- Reduced your expenditure
However it must be remembered that the DHP fund is cash limited and we may not have the funds to award further DHP payments.
If the Pre-Tenancy Determination indicates that the full rent will not be considered when calculating the Housing Benefit, we would be prepared to indicate whether a DHP would be awarded, in principle, before the tenancy is signed. This "offer" would remain in place for up to 6 weeks on the assumption that neither the level of rent nor your circumstances change in the meantime.
To Claim a Discretionary Housing Payment
To claim a Discretionary Housing Payment you can either:
|