Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs)
What are Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs)?
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are for people who either receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit (including the Housing Element) and need extra help with rent or housing costs.
The Government provides the Local Authority with a limited amount of money to make these payments, and we can only make payments to those in greatest need.
Can I claim a Discretionary Housing Payment?
A DHP can only be awarded where a claimant is entitled to/receives:
- Housing Benefit or
- Universal Credit that includes a housing element (UCHE) towards rent
and the applicant requires further financial assistance with housing costs and lives within Ceredigion.
Please note, there are two types of DHP. One is a weekly award (usually made on a short term basis e.g. 26 or 52 weeks) which helps meet a shortfall between your rent and Housing Benefit/UCHE award. The other award is to assist with moving costs i.e. rents in advance or deposits and removal costs. There is a separate application form for each award so please make sure you are completing the correct one for your circumstances.
How do I claim a DHP to meet a shortfall in my rent
You must make a claim for a DHP using the council's approved Discretionary Housing Payment form. This can be downloaded as a word document and sent as an attachment via email to revenues@ceredigion.gov.uk or alternatively printed and take to one of our Customer Service Centre or posted.
A booklet Applying for a Discretionary Housing Payment is available to provide some guidance on completing the DHP form.
How do you decide if I can have a DHP?
We assess your circumstances to decide whether you are in financial need and have exceptional circumstances.
We compare your total household income with reasonable weekly expenses and work out if you have enough money left to pay the rent shortfall.
We will notify you once we have made a decision.
Can I claim a DHP to assist with moving costs?
A lump sum DHP may be considered to assist with moving costs i.e. rents in advance or deposits and removal costs.
To be eligible to claim this, you must live in Ceredigion and already be in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit including the Housing Element.
This can be claimed using the Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) Application form and can be submitted as detailed above.
More information about the qualifying criteria can be found in this document (Annex 5) Procedural Framework and we will notify you of the decision.
What should I do if I disagree with your decision?
A DHP is not a Benefit and therefore does not carry the statutory right of appeal to The Tribunal Service. However, if you would like an explanation or dispute a decision made on your DHP you can:
- Ask for an explanation of the decision at any time. You will be provided with an explanation either verbally by telephone or in writing
- Dispute the decision. Any dispute must be made in writing and received within one calendar month of the decision giving reasons for the dispute along with any supporting additional information. A dispute received outside the time limit may still be considered if you have good reasons why the dispute is late
Any dispute will be dealt with by a senior officer who was not involved in making the original decision. They will review the original decision and all the information and evidence used to make that decision as well as any new information if they consider it necessary. You will be advised of the outcome of this review, in writing, within 14 days of the date the dispute was received or as soon as is practicable thereafter. This decision will be final.
If a dispute against a decision not to award DHP is not successful, this does not prevent a further application being made in the future if your circumstances have changed.
What if my circumstances change?
You must inform us immediately in writing if there are any changes in your circumstances.
It is essential to notify any changes in your income, spending habits, or household composition. Most changes in circumstances initially impact Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction. However, if you are also receiving a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP), your award may be affected as well.
Please see Change of Circumstances for more information.