Discretionary housing payment
A discretionary housing payment (DHP) can be made by a client’s local authority to help them with rent or with certain other housing costs. To apply for a DHP, they must be entitled to help with their rent through universal credit (UC) or housing benefit (HB).
DHPs can be made because UC or HB does not cover a client’s full rent – eg:
•due to the local housing allowance or bedroom tax;
•due to deductions being made from their benefit because they live with a non-dependant;
•because they are affected by the benefit cap.
The client can also apply for a DHP towards certain one-off costs – eg, if they need rent in advance or a deposit for a new home, or if they have moving expenses.
Payments are discretionary, which essentially means that they are made on a case-by-case basis. They are made from a cash-limited budget allocated to the local authority. A client might be refused a DHP for budgetary reasons even if they make a strong application, or they might be successful but only receive assistance for a short period.
The Scottish government gives funding to local authorities so that DHPs can be used to mitigate the effects of the bedroom tax and the benefit cap. Clients who are affected by the bedroom tax or the benefit cap should apply for a DHP as they should be able to get one.
The client’s local authority may have a paper application form and/or an online application form for DHPs.