If you get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit but need extra help with rent then you may be able to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
You must have a live claim for either Housing Benefit or Universal Credit to apply for DHP.
What DHP is for
We award DHP in certain circumstances to:
- help claimants through difficult personal events
- temporarily help with housing costs
- help those affected by a reduction to their benefit caused by the benefit cap or 'bedroom tax'
What you need to be aware of
The purpose of a DHP is to help you out temporarily, the extra money is not a long term solution.
You should remember that we only generally accept DHP claims from people who have a short fall in their housing benefit due to rent restriction on their claim, for example, LHA, benefit cap, or under occupancy reductions.
It is also important to note that:
- we don't often meet the entire shortfall in your housing costs
- payments are from a limited fund
- payments are usually awarded for short periods only
How to apply
You can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) online.
What happens next
Once you submit your form, we will send you an email confirmation. It's really important that you get all the information we've requested to us as soon as possible, otherwise your claim could be delayed. If we have everything we need, your claim should be processed within 21 working days.
Re-applying for DHP
If you want to reapply after an initial award we will only consider claims if you're able to show that you have special circumstances or that you've taken steps to help your circumstances. This would include seeking cheaper accommodation, additional income or help with your budget.
