Discretionary Housing Payment Policy 2022-23

18.1 DHP are not payments of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs and are not subject to any statutory appeals mechanism. Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has an appropriate review process.

18.2 Any request for a review will be subject to the following policy:

• the claimant (or the claimant's appointee or agent) who disagrees with a decision about a DHP may dispute the decision
• disputes will be considered where they are received by the Revenues and Benefits Service in writing within one calendar month of the written decision being issued to the claimant
• disputes will be considered by the Review Officer and the outcome notified in writing
• where it is considered more appropriate the customer will be offered an explanation by telephone or interview in order to resolve the matter, if no resolution is found, reconsideration by the Review Officer will take place