DHP and DCTHS

[Wotev]

Don't ask me what they stand for, but they're like an emergency help payment for when you're in debt with rent etc.

They've now asked me for statements of my savings account which has 1200 in it.

My credit card debt is in excess of 1200. My rent arrears are 600 and council tax arrears of 80 odd.

Anyone know whether they allow any amount of savings, despite severe debt in other areas?

I don't the answer but surely you should use saving before asking for help?

Why are you allowing your rent to be in arrears when you have savings that would easily clear it?

That I can't answer in a way that is going to please your majesty.. Basically because I prefer to be in debt to the council and still have some fall-back money.

My savings don't cover any of my debt.
Credit card debt due to moving to Universal Credit.

I believe you are entitled to keep well over £1200 in savings. But it looks to me as if you are not handling your money very well, if you owe that much on the credit card, let alone on rent. Perhaps you should think about getting some proper advice, e.g. from Citizen's Advice or CAP (Christians Against Poverty). They would be able to tell you where you stand re your savings, and help you tackle paying off your credit card, which is probably costing you a lot in interest every month. And they will be able to help if there are problems with the Universal Credit, which seems quite likely, judging by what I hear on the media.

To qualify for a discretionary housing payment they'd expect you to use your savings first, especially for a priority debt such as rent.

(Note that DHPs have different rules to other benefits, there is no savings disregard.)

Your priority needs to be paying your rent and council tax. You then pay the minimum on your credit card. That’ll still leave you with £500 savings and won’t damage your credit rating or mean you’re in debt to anyone else!!!!

I think you should pay your rent arrears otherwise they could evict you.