Could we help you with rent payments?
Do you receive housing costs from universal credit or housing benefit from the district council, but still can't manage to pay the shortfall in your rent payments?
Are you wanting to move to a smaller, more affordable property, but are unable to do so due to moving costs such as bond payments and rent in advance? Maybe you wish to move to an area nearer to your work or family for support, but cannot afford the cost of removals?
If any of the above situations apply to you, you may be entitled to extra help via Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP).
Discretionary housing payments (DHP) are not payments of benefit, but you must already be entitled to housing benefit or universal credit housing costs for us to consider your case.
If your shortfall is due to ineligible service charges, such as electric or water, or due to a housing benefit overpayment being recovered from your benefit, you will not be eligible to claim for DHP.
How much money will I receive?
There are no set rules about the amount we can give you, or the circumstances in which it will be awarded. We look at each case individually. Any award is granted for a fixed period and shouldn't be relied on as a long-term solution to any short-term fall in the level of housing benefit or universal credit you receive.
Every year, the Government sets the amount of DHP money we can award. Once it's been spent, we can't make any more payments that year, whatever your circumstances.
In some cases, it might not be possible to make a full or even partial award of DHP.