Discretionary housing payments
A Discretionary Housing Payment is a payment designed to help people on Housing Benefit or who are being paid the housing element of Universal Credit and who are in ‘short-term’ financial need. The amounts available are limited therefore an award can only be made if there are funds available. It is not intended to supplement Housing Benefit or Universal Credit on a long term basis.
When can a Discretionary Housing Payment be awarded? Toggle accordion
To be considered for a Discretionary Housing Payment:
you need to be in receipt of Housing Benefit and
the Housing Benefit you receive must be less than your contractual rent – the payment cannot be used for services included in your rent such as utility bills
or
- you are being paid the housing element of Universal Credit (Discretionary Housing Payment cannot be used for services included in your rent i.e. utility bills).
How to apply Toggle accordion
An application should be made by completing our online Discretionary Housing Payment application form.
Apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment
Alternatively you can download the form below.
What happens next? Toggle accordion
We will look at your application and decide whether we can award you additional help. We may ask you to provide extra information in support of your request.
If we make the award we will write and tell you:
the reason we have made the award
how much you will be awarded and
the period of the award
If we decide that we cannot make the award we will write to you and tell you:
the reason we have not made the award and
what you can do if you do not agree with our decision
What happens if I do not agree with your decision? Toggle accordion
If you do not agree with our decision you can write to us asking for a review If we are unable to change our decision your request will be heard by a panel of senior officers.
We will write to you and let you know the outcome of your claim. We call this a decision notice. We aim to make a decision within 14 days.
More information
Further information can be found in the Discretionary Housing Payment Policy
