Discretionary Housing Payments
What are they?
Discretionary Housing Payments are a way the Council may be able to give you more help towards your housing costs.
Who qualifies?
To qualify for Discretionary Housing Payments you must:
- Be getting of Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit AND
- Need more help to meet your housing costs.
There is no list covering every situation that will be allowed a Discretionary Housing Payment. Each individual application will be considered.
Below are some examples of when a Discretionary Housing Payment may be made:
- A pregnant woman, close to the due date, moves into a home more suitable for herself and child. The rent is restricted by the Rent Officer because the property is considered too large for one person until the child is born.
- A disabled person lives in a ground floor flat near to a clinic they attend for therapy. They could get a cheaper flat, but it would mean higher transport costs they can't afford.
- A family has a child who is undergoing prolonged hospital treatment. The family used to live some miles away from the hospital but have moved nearer so that the child can be visited.
How do I claim Discretionary Housing Payments?
You will need to fill in a Discretionary Housing Payments application form (below) or you can contact the Benefits Service at one of our enquiry offices.
