What is a Discretionary Housing Payment and how do I get one?

Full answer

A Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) bridges the gap when your benefit does not fully cover your housing costs. To qualify you must be receiving Housing Benefit or the housing costs element of Universal Credit, and you must have a shortfall between that support and your actual rent. Councils run DHPs from a cash-limited government grant, so awards are not guaranteed -- once a council's budget runs out, it can refuse claims even from eligible applicants. Who it affects: tenants hit by the benefit cap, the bedroom tax (removal of the spare room subsidy), Local Housing Allowance limits in the private rented sector, or those facing rent arrears, a deposit, or moving costs to avoid hardship or homelessness. What DHPs can cover: rent shortfalls, rent in advance, deposits and some moving costs. What they cannot cover: ineligible service charges, most council tax (apply instead for council tax reduction or a separate discretionary council tax discount), and increases caused by benefit sanctions in many cases. How to apply: contact your local council directly, usually via an online form, explaining your income, outgoings and why you need help; the council weighs your circumstances and decides the amount and duration. Awards are typically short-term -- a number of weeks or months -- and intended to give you time to find a longer-term solution such as cheaper housing, work, or budgeting support. There is no set national rate, so this card cannot quote an amount; the size and length of any award are entirely at the council's discretion. If refused, ask the council to review the decision, as there is no formal tribunal appeal route for DHPs. Use a council tax calculator for any council tax liability questions, which are handled separately from DHPs.

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