Chances of challenging DHP refusal while affected by benefit cap?

[questioneverything01]

What now? What are my chances challenging it?
I am very moody peri menopausal AuADHD woman

my email:
'
On 17 June 2026, my Crisis and Resilience Fund application was refused on the basis that my rent was being paid in full. - but I am affected by benefit cap

I sought help from Citizen Advice. I subsequently attended an appointment in person on 29 June 2026 and provided additional Universal Credit statements.
16 July 2026 – someone very confused wrote to me asking what my UC statements were about. I explained that I submitted them during my appointment on 29 June in relation to my DHP application
I then received a reply stating only that my email had been forwarded to the relevant department.
However, after I followed up again on 28 July 2026, I was simply sent copies of the original refusal letters. I have still not received a decision on my review or an explanation of whether the additional evidence was considered.
'

On the 10th of July I was given not fit for work for 3 months from my GP, which I forwarded to the council. I am also waiting for DRO approval. (as I used credit cards to cover the shortfall).

(yes, i keep applying for jobs, no luck there)

Is your rent being paid in full? If so, you are not going to get DHP.

You won't get DHP if your rent is paid in full. There are other funds like essential living fund (or whatever it is called in your area) that you may qualify for.

What would it be to cover if your rent is paid in full?

I assume max UC includes full rent but the cap means OP receives less then the sum of Standard Allowance plus other elements.

Why do you need it? You get your rent paid in full and obviously a fair bit more since you are over the benefits cap.

no its not paid in full, due to benefit cap. citizen advice told me.

no its not paid in full, due to benefit cap. citizen advice told me.

no its not paid in full, due to benefit cap. citizen advice told me.

If you're over the benefit cap surely you're getting a big chunk of money already

The OP clearly says their benefits are reduced by the cap.

Its not paid in full - thats the issue.
when i had a meeting in person, the connector person agreed and I sent the UC statements.
but it is obvious that there is no oversight, as 3 weeks later I got an email asking what these UC statements were about.
I was told it would be reviewed, but instead they sent the old letter.

There's no reason in principle why a Crisis and Resilience Fund* payment cannot be paid when the claimant's inability to cover rent is due to the cap rather then (eg) bedroom tax or LHA.

Can CA provide further help to at least ensure the Council understand that the issue is actually the cap and not Housing Costs Element less than rent passing?

They may still refuse it as the help is discretionary but at least you'd be clear the facts were understood.

*I've learned today that the Household Support Fund and DHPs have been rolled together as the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Yes, I spoke to CA. I included it in my email to the council.
They just ignored it and resent the old letter.
I am just trying to find out about other people experiences.

My history is in providing advice through CA or similar.

No personal experience of DHPs and, as a home owner, never likely to.

How long have you asked for the DHP to be paid to you? In the LA I work for most requests for this would be refused in all but extreme cases & even then they would only be given it for a max of 3 months.

Why are you asking for it? What has recently happened that means you cant manage on the money you have? What is your long term plan for managing as even if you get dhp it will only be for a few months?

Due to the amount of people struggling in this col crisis, we have become very strict in what we award people now & prefer to give more people some money than a few people lots of money like it used to be

@TheEasterBunny3 the OP is quite clear as to why they need a DHP.

The full rent is eligible for UC but their payment is reduced as they're subject to the Benefit Cap.

@Bromptotoo- but why now? When did the benefit cap start? If she was managing it before what has changed now? Why has the dhp application only been put it now if she has been benefit capped for a while?

When you apply for the dhp you need to explain all of this, including what you are planning on doing once the dhp stops as they are normally up to 6 months maximum (& that is incredibly generous most are for 3 months now).dhp is a short award & isn't to be used to fill a benefit cap on a permanent basis.

I used credit card for everything. I have been applying for jobs etc.
I run out of money, DRO.

I asked for help in November 2025, and again in April.
I am going for stage 2 complaints as they just bounced me between departments.

I also asked them about other options as now I have no savings and destroyed credit score - cant move.

I applied for LCWRA, possibly I would only need it for few months.

Firstly DHPs are discretionary so there isn't usually any room for an appeal. You have already started a complaint so do continue with this.

I would continue to liaise with Citizens Advice and ask them to draft you some wording to explain the situation. It's easier for someone removed from the situation and with the right technical language to articulate more clearly where the council has made a mistake.