Discretionary Housing Payment

You may be able to claim a discretionary housing payment (DHP) if you receive housing benefit but are having difficulty paying the rest of your rent.

You can also claim a DHP if you’re receiving universal credit that includes the housing element.

A DHP can cover some, or the entire shortfall between housing benefit and your rent. DHP’s are considered to be short term help and are not usually awarded for more than a six month period.

Apply by downloading and completing an application form and returning it to us.

Discretionary housing payment application form for general applicants (PDF File, 133kb)

Discretionary housing payment form for Council and Housing Association tenants (PDF File, 149kb)

Discretionary housing payment application form for private tenants (PDF File, 152kb)

How do we decide whether to make a DHP?

The total amount of money that we have available to spend in these cases is limited. That means that financial constraints are a factor in our decision on any individual case.

The payments are discretionary and there are no formal appeal rights against a decision made by the local authority not to make a payment.