Discretionary housing payments
If you need help to pay your housing costs, you may qualify for help from a council fund called Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP).
These payments are not a type of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Cost. They are extra payments made to help with housing costs like some or all of a rent shortfall over a few weeks or a new tenancy rent deposit.
The DHP budget is limited each year and the payments can only be a short term solution to financial difficulties. If you need to find a longer term solution, we would recommend you seek support from Advice Works - details in the Related Articles section opposite.
How do I qualify
Every case is different and depends on your individual circumstances. To qualify you must be:
entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs
able to show us you need help meeting your housing costs
How to apply
Click on the 'Apply for a discretionary housing payment (DHP)' button above.
Further information
For more details please download the 'Policy on discretionary housing payments' document in the Related Documents section opposite.