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Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)

Get information on Discretionary Housing Payments and how to apply.

Discretionary Housing Payments provide financial help with rent or housing costs.

You can claim if:

  • you pay rent
  • you already get Housing Benefits or the housing element of Universal Credit
  • you are struggling to pay your rent even with Housing Benefit and Universal Credit

The payments are short-term to help pay rent and give you time to improve your circumstances. They can be awarded as a one-off payment or a series of payments.

You can apply for another Discretionary Housing Payment award once your payments end. 

How to apply

When you apply, you will need to upload with your application:

  • a clear photograph of your documents (use a medium-sized image)
  • details of your monthly income and outgoings

It is important that you give as much information as you can to help us make a decision. We make decisions on applications using our Discretionary Housing Policy (PDF, 122.54KB).

Apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment

For more information on how to complete the form see our:

Document
Guidance on Discretionary Housing Payments (PDF, 114.33KB)
Document
Frequently asked questions about Discretionary Housing Payments (PDF, 92.33KB)

Payments

The most you can receive is the difference between the benefits you are already receiving and your eligible rent charge.

Discretionary Housing Payments will not meet the costs of:

  • any part of a rent payment that covers services that are not eligible for Housing Benefit (for example, water rates, heating or meals)
  • rent increases to cover outstanding rent arrears 

Change of circumstances

You must let us know of any changes in circumstances as this could affect your payment. 

Appeals

You are unable to appeal against a Discretionary Housing Payment decision. This is because Discretionary Housing Payments are not benefits.

You do have the right to ask us to look at the decision again.

If you want us to review our decision you should:

  • write to us within 1 month of the date on the decision letter
  • give your reasons why

If you are writing later than 1 month from the date on the decision letter, you need to give a reason.

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