Discretionary Housing Payment

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) can provide extra financial help with housing costs. In general, this means help to pay your rent - DHPs can also be used to help with other lump sum costs relating to housing needs.

A DHP is paid from a cash limited fund given by Central Government each financial year. DHPs are awarded at the council's discretion.

Each year we receive a limited amount of DHPs funding from the Department for Work and Pensions for customers in need of some additional help with their housing costs. 

Aims of DHP

We make sure that DHPs are made in a fair, reasonable and consistent way, with the aims of:

• alleviating poverty
• preventing homelessness and supporting people in their tenancies
• supporting vulnerable or elderly people in the local community
• helping residents through difficult events
• safeguarding residents in their home
• encouraging and sustaining people in employment
• helping those who are trying to help themselves
• keeping families together
• supporting domestic violence victims who are trying to move to a place of safety
• supporting young people in the transition to adult life
• promoting good educational outcomes for children and young people
• supporting those most affected by the impact of welfare reform

If an applicant is facing situations described above, it does not mean an award will be made but it does mean we will have discretion when considering the claim.