Discretionary housing payments
In some circumstances we can give people suffering exceptional hardship an extra payment called discretionary housing payments (DHP) to help with housing costs.
To claim you must be receiving Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.
You will need to prove that you are suffering from financial hardship due to a shortfall in your benefits. You may have a shortfall because of:
- Housing benefit restrictions under the maximum rent rules
- a non-dependant within the household
- household income
- single room rent rates affecting under 35s
- rent in advance payments
- help with moving costs
- a deposit to help secure rented accommodation
Discretionary housing payments cannot cover:
- water rates
- tenants levy
- service charges (for example, heating and hot water)
- rent arrears
- shortfalls in your benefit due to sanctions or recovery of overpayments
- furnishing or white goods costs
Applying for discretionary housing payments
Discretionary housing payments are not a benefit payment. They are awarded on a case-by-case basis for help with housing costs.
Awards are usually made for a short-term period to help you through a specific financial crisis. In certain limited circumstances, such as where your property has been extensively adapted to cater for a disability, longer awards may be considered.
Complete the online form to apply, you will need a list of your income and expenses.
Apply for discretionary housing paymentsIf you cannot apply online for any reason, contact the benefit team on 01242 264341 or email benefits@cheltenham.gov.uk to request assistance.
Check you have provided the evidence requested (either through the online form or by emailing the benefit team) as your application cannot be processed without it.
When your application has been assessed, we will let you know our decision. You cannot appeal against it as our awards are at our discretion, you can ask us to reconsider our decision.
If your circumstances change
If there has been a change to your circumstances since a DHP was awarded, you are responsible for telling us as soon as possible to stop any overpayments.
Discretionary housing payment policy - pdf - 111 Kb