Discretionary Housing Payments

Discretionary Housing Payments are short term or one-off payments that are given to people experiencing exceptional financial hardship. 

You must be receiving Housing Benefit, the housing element of Universal Credit, or Council Tax Support to be considered. 

Apply for a Discretionary Housing Payments

A discretionary payment may be given to help you with:  

  • your eligible rent if you are not receiving the full amount available (for example, if your income is too high or you have non dependants)
  • your short-term finances if you are moving to more affordable accommodation
  • the cost of your Council Tax if you are facing genuine difficulties
  • a tenancy deposit or rent in advance for a new home, but only if you are already getting Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element where you live now

You cannot get a Discretionary Housing Payment to cover a rent shortfall if your benefits have been reduced because of an overpayment.  

It will not be given to help you cover:

  • living costs such as water, fuel or food
  • any charges that result from a summons or other recovery action
  • a rent shortfall if your benefits have been reduced because of an overpayment
  • any Housing Benefit not paid due to a sanction 

The Discretionary Housing Payment fund is limited and we cannot guarantee an award. All applications are assessed on a case by case basis. 

Explain your circumstances

Give as much information as you can to explain why you need a Discretionary Housing Payment. 

Please explain:  

  • why you need help with your rent  
  • what has caused your rent shortfall - for example, you have to pay the bedroom tax, if you have lost income, if you are affected by the benefit cap or if local housing allowance rates have left you with a rent shortfall  
  • if you are at risk of homelessness because of your rent shortfall or rent arrears  

Discretionary Housing Payments are usually only paid for a limited period, you may have to apply for another at the end of the period.  

Discretionary Housing Payment on Universal Credit 

You can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment at the end of your first Universal Credit assessment period. This is usually one month after you first made your Universal Credit claim.  

Appealing a decision 

If your application is turned down, you can ask for it to be reconsidered if you think the decision is unfair.

Applying again for a Discretionary Housing Payment 

You can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment again. Explain if you have new information to support your application.  

New funding for Discretionary Housing Payments is received every financial year. 

Payment amount

Each case is different. You may get enough to cover all the shortfall in your rent or costs or just part of what you have to pay.  

Discretionary Housing Payments may be paid weekly, fortnightly, monthly or as a lump sum. Payments can be backdated.  

For further information, please see Anglian Revenues Partnerships website.