Discretionary Housing Payments

What are Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs)?

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are for people receiving Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit who require further financial assistance with housing costs because their benefit does not cover their full rent or Council Tax liability.

The scheme is not part of normal Housing or Council Tax Benefits and as the name suggests is awarded at the discretion of the Local Authority. The money comes from a cash limited fund so an award of DHP is usually only paid for a limited period.

The Discretionary Housing Payment Fund has been increased to £613,175 from April 2012

Who can receive DHP?

Anybody already in receipt of Housing Benefit and or Council Tax Benefit who requires extra financial assistance with housing costs can apply. There are no set rules about what reasons make a person eligible to receive DHP. The Benefit Service will look carefully at each request and take into account any special circumstances that contribute to the need for the DHP.

You cannot receive DHP to meet a shortfall in your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit because of:

• Ineligible service charges
• Increases in rent due to outstanding rent arrears
• A Shortfall in the second adult rebate element of any Council Tax Benefit award
• Certain sanctions and reductions in benefit.

How do I apply for DHP?

An application must be made to us in writing and should contain as much detail as possible so that we can fully consider your situation. Remember to provide us with any information about your circumstances that make things difficult for you. You should also include any supporting evidence.

Application should be made in writing to:

Our decision

We will consider all aspects of your circumstances before we decide if we can award you a Discretionary Housing Payment. We will then contact you by letter, informing you of our decision and detailing any payments of DHP that are to be made to you.

We will pay any DHP to you alongside your Housing Benefit and/ or Council Tax Benefit award, although a DHP is not an award of Benefit.

If you are unhappy with our decision you can ask us to look at it again. You should write to us telling us why you disagree and we will review your application. You cannot appeal to the Tribunals Service if you disagree with our decision because DHP is not an award of Benefit.

View our Policy for making DHP awards ( PDF, 95,46 KB)