Housing Payments
These have previously been known as Discretionary Housing Payment.
These will provide financial support with rent in exceptional cases where Housing Benefit or Universal Credit does not cover an applicant’s rent in full and they have a financial shortfall.
Eligibility for Housing Payments
To be eligible to apply for a Housing Payment, you must already be receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with housing costs.
There are no rules that give anyone a right to payment, but we will look at your circumstances to see whether you are eligible for a DHP. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and if successful, a Housing Payment may be awarded as a one-off payment and/or a series of payments.
The Council will treat all applications on their individual merits.
Housing Payments can be awarded for:
- deposit or rent in advance to secure a property
- clearing Rent Arrears
- reduce the shortfall between benefits and rental liability
- benefit capped applicants
- bedroom Tax
Housing Payments cannot be awarded for:
- moving costs
- furniture costs
- storage costs