Benefits
Discretionary Housing Payment
In special circumstances you may be able to receive a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) if you have a shortfall between the amount of Housing Benefit or housing element of Universal Credit paid, and your contractual rent.
You can only apply for discretionary housing payments if you are already in receipt of Housing Benefit or if you are getting the housing cost element of Universal Credit.
DHP’s can be used to pay for:
- Rent shortfalls
- Rent deposits
- Removal cost
- Rent in advance
They are awarded at our discretion and the money available is limited. This means that awards are usually only made for short periods and are only given in cases of financial hardship.
Whether we award you a DHP and the amount of the award will depend on:
- Your income and savings
- How much you spend and what you spend it on
- Your needs and those of your family
- The circumstances of other people who live with you
- Whether you have received a DHP in the past
- What steps you are taking to resolve your predicament
If you receive Universal Credit you will need to provide:
- Proof of your Universal Credit housing cost
- Proof of your most recent 2 months Universal Credit awards
- Your most recent tenancy agreement
- Your landlords contact details
- Your most recent bank statements
You cannot appeal against a DHP decision, but you can ask us to look at it again if you are not happy with the outcome of your application.
Apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment
If you would like to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment you will need to complete an application online.