Discretionary housing payments

The Discretionary Housing Payment Scheme grants the Local Authority the power to award an additional payment to people in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit who need more help with their housing costs.

Eligibility

You must receive some housing benefit or universal credit and:

  • There must be a shortfall between your housing benefit or universal credit and the rent you need to pay, and
  • The amount of discretionary housing payment paid, when added to your housing benefit or universal credit, must not be more than your rent, and
  • You cannot afford to pay the shortfall out of your existing budget.

Discretionary housing payments are only for helping with short-term problems and are not intended to cover long-term situations with your rent.

Chat with us