What is the Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) scheme?

DHP’s are special payments paid from a separate fund and are not a form of Housing Benefit.

They are a way of helping you if the Housing Benefit you get is not enough to pay your rent.

The DHP fund is usually meant to help for short periods of time and if you get an award there is no guarantee that another award will be issued at a later date. Once the fund has been spent in any financial year no more DHP’s can be awarded.

How to Claim a DHP

Once completed, return it to the Benefits Team.

When we get your form we will look at the information you have provided and if we need more details we will write to you.

The Award

Each application is treated on its own merits. For all claims we will consider things like:

  • The amount of rent you have to pay and the amount of Housing Benefit being received or the amount of Housing Costs paid in your Universal Credit award
  • Your medical condition
  • Efforts that you have made to reduce your rent
  • Your income and expenditure
  • Your capital
  • Any debts that you have outstanding
  • Any exceptional circumstances you have

This is in accordance with our Discretionary Housing Payments policy.

When a decision has been made you will be notified by letter and if successful the amount granted and the period of the award.

The Decision

If you do not agree with our decision then you can ask for us to look at your request again. Another decision maker will look at your application, this is called reviewing the decision.

You can ask for a review if:

  • We have refused your request
  • We have awarded a reduced amount
  • You have been overpaid

If you do want your decision reviewed then you must contact us within one month of the decision date putting your reasons in writing