Discretionary housing payments

What are discretionary housing payments?

Discretionary housing payments (DHPs) offer extra help with housing costs. If you need help with paying your council tax, please go to our council tax support page.

You may be entitled to a DHP if you are:

  • receiving housing benefit which does not cover your rent (less all ineligible service charges)
  • receiving housing costs in their Universal Credit payment and having financial difficulties
  • moving to new accommodation and need financial help e.g. for a rent deposit.

Please note that a rent deposit is generally given so that the council does not need to continue to pay DHP to top up a weekly rent. 

Please see the DHP policy which will show you how we calculate a payment and who is eligible: