Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) can help if you are struggling to pay your rent or housing costs. 

There is also a Council Tax Support Discretionary Payment if you are struggling to pay your Council Tax bill.

Apply for Discretionary Housing Payments

You can only get DHP if:

• you already receive Housing Benefit or have housing costs included in your Universal Credit
• you are struggling to pay your rent even with these benefits
• we agree that you need more support

Use the online form below to submit your application.

Apply for Discretionary Housing Payment

Apply for Council Tax Support Discretionary Payment

You can only get Council Tax Support Discretionary Payment if:

• you already receive Council Tax Support
• you are struggling to pay your Council Tax even with this benefit
• we agree that you need more support

Use the online form below to submit your application.

Apply for Council Tax Support Discretionary Payment

Send evidence for your claim

Use the online form below to send us evidence to support your claim for DHP or Council Tax Support Discretionary Payment.

Submit evidence documents

You may be asked for:

• your Universal Credit letter
• proof of rent you owe (including a repayment plan and proof of amount if you have rent arrears)
• proof you are trying to find cheaper living arrangements (including landlord letters, bids made on Locata, offers made on Home Swap and properties you have viewed)
• letters from a debt or other agency about your financial circumstances
• the last 3 months of statements from your bank and/or building society
• job application and interview letters
• proof of income for all your non-dependants

We may ask for additional proof including proof of loans, bills, credit cards and medical proof.

Find out how to send evidence for your benefit claim.

How much DHP you can claim

Each DHP application is decided on an individual basis. It is important to give us as much detail about your financial situation as possible.

How DHP is paid

DHPs are usually paid for limited periods. You should always try to:

• talk to your landlord about reducing your rent
• seek money advice for existing debts
• consider moving somewhere with lower rent
• find employment or increase working hours

Details of the period you will be paid for and how you will be paid will be included in your decision letter.

Disagree with a DHP decision

Requests asking us to reconsider our decision must be made in writing within one month of the date on the decision letter.

You can disagree with:

• our decision not to give payment
• the amount decided
• the length of time the payment will be given

There is no right to appeal to an independent tribunal.

If you have any questions about Discretionary Payments, use our online form to contact the Benefits team.