Discretionary Housing Payments

6 replies

MacarenaMacarena · 06/02/2023 00:46

Any advice for when someone is struggling to pay difference in benefits and rent? Can discretionary housing benefits be paid regularly to help cover real cost of accommodation?

OP posts:

Danikm151 · 06/02/2023 01:01

It will all depend on your councils criteria.
my friend was unemployed for 3 months and was able to get discretionary payments to make up the shortfall in her rent as UC didn’t cover enough as otherwise she would have been homeless. She was told after a certain period that she would be expected to find somewhere cheaper but luckily was able to find a job.

Gossipxox · 06/02/2023 01:05

It is worth applying for however they are only required to cover for a short period of time I know my council it’s 3 months they will award you for but then you need to reapply and you won’t always be awarded it.. long term solution is required so either looking into a moving to somewhere more affordable or getting into work

Overthebow · 06/02/2023 01:07

Is there a specific reason that’s time limited? I don’t think they’d do it long term, you’d be expected to move to a cheaper place or work
more hours/get a job.

Shellbod81 · 10/03/2023 11:50

Hi all , I applied for DHP because of a massive shortfall in my rent plus it had gone up again ….I’ve checked online today and I have a correspondence letter stating that I have been awarded an extra £30 from 28th feb until April 1st ….does anyone know if this automatically carries on into the new financial year or will I have to reapply again as it’s only for 5 weeks , just seems a really short time to be awarded it as I’m not going to be financially better off within 5 weeks , but also it’s a bit of a coincidence that it’s a new financial year? Any advice would be appreciated x

Original poster

MacarenaMacarena · 11/03/2023 00:07

Shellbod81 it looks like it will be hard for you to get the regular extra that you need, same as the friend I was enquiring for. Is it possible for you to get a part time job, a certain number of hours that wouldn't affect your benefits, in order to make ends meet? While the local housing allowance is significantly lower than even the cheapest accommodation, people are in difficulty. Good luck xx

OP posts:

Nathans · 30/04/2024 13:52

Hi, I currently moved to a private rent and dwp told me everything was OK and wouldn't get benefit capped. I moved and to property which is 600 a month I get it payed but now have a benefit cap of 398 a month. So technically only get 202 for rent now as am down due to benefit cap. And a single father off 4 boys it's impacted me massively

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