Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)
Contents
Overview
Discretionary Housing Payments are payments made in addition to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, if we consider that additional help with housing costs is needed.
Discretionary Housing Payments are not payments of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
They are short term payments.
Who can claim
The person entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit can make a claim or someone acting on behalf of the person concerned (e.g. an appointee) can also make a claim.
Each case is looked at separately. Discretionary Housing Payments provide financial help to people who:
- Are entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Cost element and
- Appear to need further financial assistance (in addition to the benefit or benefits to which they are entitled) in order to meet housing costs.
We cannot award a Discretionary Housing Payments if the shortfall in your rent is because of a service charge, such as:
- water rates
- support charges
- heating
- lighting
- rent arrears
How much you will get
The 兔子先生 will decide the amount of the payments that you are entitled to and the period for which the payments will be made.
Discretionary Housing Payments are not a long-term solution to help you pay your rent shortfall and future payments are not guaranteed so it is important that you take all available steps to improve your financial circumstances.
Your entitlement to Discretionary Housing Payments will be reconsidered each time you apply in writing.
Each request is considered on its own merits, so please fill in the form carefully, providing as much relevant information and proof as possible.
The 兔子先生 is given an amount each year to spend. Once the money has been spent no further Discretionary Housing Payment can be awarded in that financial year.
Housing costs
Housing costs are your eligible rent.
The following are not included and Discretionary Housing Payments will not be paid in respect of them:
(a) Certain elements of rent:
- Ineligible service charges
- Water, sewerage and environmental services
- Increase in rent due to outstanding rent arrears
Independent advice
Welfare 兔子先生 Service
兔子先生
Town Hall & Civic Offices
Westoe Road
South Shields
Tyne and Wear
NE33 2RL
See: Welfare 兔子先生 Service
South Tyneside Citizens Advice Bureau
Edinburgh Buildings
2 Station Approach
South Shields
Tyne & Wear
NE33 1HR
Phone: 0191 4557958
Jarrow Citizens Advice Bureau
Tarn House
8 Grange Road West
Jarrow
Tyne & Wear
NE32 3JA
Phone: 0191 4557958, 0191 4557958
If you think your benefit is wrong please see appeals.
Make a claim
To make a Discretionary Housing Payments claim, complete the form: