Discretionary housing payments
Discretionary housing payments (DHPs) are extra money from the council.
You could get DHPs to top up your benefits if you need help with:
rent payments
a tenancy deposit or rent in advance
the costs of moving home
You do not have to pay a DHP back.
Who can get DHPs
You need to be getting universal credit housing element or housing benefit.
Examples of why you might need more help include:
local housing allowance (LHA) does not cover your full rent
You cannot get DHPs to pay off rent arrears or because of benefit deductions for debts or sanctions.
Make a DHP claim
Contact your council's discretionary housing payments team
What is your location?
What to say on the form
Tell the council:
why you need help
if you are at risk of homelessness because of the problem
what has caused problems - for example, you have to pay the bedroom tax, or your benefits do not cover your full rent
How much money could you get?
Each case is different.
You might get enough to cover the difference between your benefits and your full rent. But you might only get part of what you need.
DHPs can be paid weekly, fortnightly, monthly or as a lump sum. They can be backdated.
How long do DHPs last for?
DHPs are usually paid for a set time.
For example, the council might pay a DHP to help you deal with a rent increase in the short term. But they might expect you to find somewhere cheaper to live in the longer term.
Councils get new funding for DHPs every April.
You can apply again if your DHPs stop but you still need them to help with rent.
You could get a one off payment to help with a deposit, rent in advance or removal costs if you're moving home.
If the council say you cannot get DHPs
You can ask the council to reconsider if you think the decision is unfair.
You can also apply for a DHP again.
Tell the council if you have new supporting information when you make a new application.
For example:
an income and spending sheet
medical information about why a disabled household member cannot share a bedroom
Easy read advice
Find easy read advice about discretionary housing payments (DHPs) on the Mencap website.
Other help you could get
Find out about:
Last updated: 7 April 2024
