Discretionary Housing Payment Policy 2022-23

3.1 Shortfalls that DHP can cover:

• restrictions between the actual rent and the eligible rent for Housing Benefit purposes or Universal Credit with housing costs such as Local Reference Rents (LRR), Single Room Rent (SRR) size criteria or when the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) does not meet the rent charged
• non-dependant deductions
• income tapers
• rent deposits and rent in advance: a DHP can be awarded for a rent deposit or rent in advance for a property that the claimant has yet to move into if they are already entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with housing costs for their present home
• rent shortfalls to prevent a household becoming homeless whilst the alternative options are explored

This list is not exhaustive.

3.2 In addition to the above DHP can be used to provide support to claimants affected by some of the key welfare reforms including:

• reductions in Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with housing costs where the Benefit Cap has been applied
• reductions in Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with housing costs for under-occupation in the social rented sector

3.3 DHP cannot be used for help with:

• ineligible service charges
• increases in rent due to arrears
• shortfalls in Council Tax Support
• certain sanctions and reductions in benefit
• overpayments of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit
• Mortgage Interest Payments
• housing costs that have already been met by past payment of housing benefits