Discretionary Housing Payment- DHP - How do I claim a Discretionary Housing Payment?
How do I claim a Discretionary Housing Payment? A claim for a Discretionary Housing Payment is different to a claim for Housing Benefit.
You should ask your local authority how to make a claim. They may accept claims in writing, over the telephone or electronically.
You can find the contact details of your local council (link opens in a new window) on the GOV.UK website
What documents will I need to claim a Discretionary Housing Payment?
Each local authority will have its own claim form but the following documents will usually be required to support a claim.
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your most recent payslip if you are working
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your partner's most recent payslip (if you have a partner and they are working)
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bank account statements covering the last two months (and partner's)
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proof of any loan or credit-card or hire-purchase repayment agreements
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any letters you have received from the landlord about rent arrears
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proof of any expenses that are especially high
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if you are ill recent medical evidence
When will my Discretionary Housing Payment claim begin?
There are no rules on backdating. It is up to your local authority whether any award will be backdated and for how long.
Change of circumstances
You are required to notify your local authority of any changes of circumstances which may be relevant to you continuing to receive Discretionary Housing Payments. You will be told about the changes you should report. Can I get a Discretionary Housing Payment?
A Discretionary Housing Payment is for people in need of extra financial assistance on top of their Housing Benefit.
You must be entitled to Housing Benefit or the Housing Costs element of Universal Credit to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment.
Your local authority will decide how to treat any income or other resources you have.
The Government has increased the funding given to Local Authorities for Discretionary Housing Payments to help people affected by the Benefit Cap and other Housing Benefit changes. Specifically the following groups of people:
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Those in temporary accommodation
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Individuals or families fleeing domestic violence
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Those with kinship care responsibilities
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Those who cannot move immediately for reasons of health, education or child protection
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Households moving to more appropriate accommodation
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Households having difficulty finding more appropriate accommodation
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Disabled people living in significantly adapted accommodation
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Approved or prospective adoptive parents or foster carers.
Once your local authority has spent its budget (provided by the Government) it cannot award any more payments for that financial year. They cannot help everyone so decisions about priority have to be made.
How much Discretionary Housing Payment will I get?
Your local authority will decide whether to award a Discretionary Housing Payment, how much to award, and for how long.
The amount you get could cover all or part of your shortfall in rent or the costs of taking up a tenancy.
Benefit Cap
A Discretionary Housing Payment is not included in the Benefit Cap which limits the total amount in some benefits that working-age people can receive.
See our Benefit Cap guide for more details.
How will I be paid a Discretionary Housing Payment?
The payment could be made to you or direct to your landlord.
There is no limit to length of time over which Discretionary Housing Payments can be made. It could be a one-off or an indefinite award.
Discretionary Housing Payments and other benefits
Discretionary Housing Payments do not count as income or capital when calculating your entitlement to means-tested benefits or Tax Credits.
How do I challenge a Discretionary Housing Payment decision?
You can ask your local authority to review its decision and you should receive the new decision and any reasons in writing.
There is no right of appeal against a Discretionary Housing Payment decision but occasionally you may be able to apply for a Judicial Review in the High Court; you will need to seek legal advice on this.
You could contact the local government ombudsman if you believe there has been maladministration. https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-...
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