Discretionary Housing Payment for financial support

If your benefits don't cover your rent

Worrying about a gap between your rent and what your benefits cover is stressful, especially when you're already managing on a tight budget. You're not alone in this, and there is extra help available. Your council can make a top-up payment called a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) to help cover the difference.

What is a DHP?

A DHP is an extra payment from your local council to help with housing costs that your regular benefits don't fully cover. It is not a separate benefit. It is a one-off or short-term top-up, and your council decides whether to award it based on your circumstances.

DHP funding is available in England and Wales. If you are in Scotland, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment through the Scottish Government.

Who can apply

You can apply for a DHP if you currently receive either:

• Housing Benefit
• The housing element of Universal Credit (this is the part of your Universal Credit that goes towards rent) and you need more help with housing costs

What a DHP can help with

A DHP is designed to help if your housing costs are higher than what your benefits cover. Common reasons include:

• The benefit cap (a limit on the total amount of benefits you can receive)
• The spare room subsidy (sometimes called the "bedroom tax"), which reduces your Housing Benefit if you rent from a council or housing association and are considered to have a spare bedroom
• Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, which set the maximum amount of Housing Benefit you can get if you rent privately. If your rent is higher than the LHA rate for your area, a DHP can help fill the gap

A DHP can cover:

• A shortfall between your rent and your benefits
• A rent deposit if you need to move
• Rent in advance if you need to move home

What a DHP cannot cover

DHPs cannot be used to pay council tax, even if you get Local Council Tax Support. Council tax help is applied for separately.

How to apply

You apply for a DHP through your local council. Each council runs its own application process, so the form and supporting documents needed may vary.

Your council will look at your circumstances and decide:

• Whether to award you a DHP
• How much you will receive
• How long the payment will last

You can find your local council on GOV.UK to start your application.

How we can help

The application process can feel confusing, and it helps to have support. We can:

• Check whether you're likely to qualify
• Help you put together a strong application
• Explain what evidence your council might ask for
• Look at your wider situation to make sure you're getting all the help you're entitled to

Get help

• Email us at info@youthlegal.org.uk
• Call us on 020 3195 1906
• Fill in our contact form and we'll get back to you

All our advice is free and confidential.