Discretionary housing payment (DHP)
If you get Housing Benefit or the housing cost element of Universal Credit, but the amount does not meet all your housing costs, you may be entitled to extra financial help.
We have a limited fund of money that we can spend each year to help people who need extra help with these housing costs. This extra help is called Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).
You should make an application as soon as possible.
A discretionary housing payment can also cover housing costs including:
- removal costs
- rent in advance
Removal costs
If you have signed up for a tenancy with a rent you can afford but need help with moving expenses, you may be eligible for support.
Please note that we cannot reimburse you if you have already completed your move and paid for van hire or removal costs yourself. To be considered for help, you need to provide us with three quotes from van hire or removal companies. If you qualify, we will cover the costs of van hire or removal directly with the company that is used.
Rent in advance
If you have signed up for a tenancy with a rent you can afford but you need help with rent in advance, then you may qualify for assistance.
To be considered for assistance, you must:
- be receiving Housing Benefit or the housing cost element of Universal Credit
- have found a property to rent, and the landlord or agent has agreed that you can rent it
Please send us a letter from the new landlord detailing the address of the property and the amount of rent due and the amount of rent in advance.
To apply for any of the forms of Discretionary Housing Payment listed above, please use the following link:
A member of the team will call you, usually within 1 working day.
Our office is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Outside these hours you can leave a message with our contact centre who will take all your details and pass them on to us.