Discretionary Housing Payments

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Important Information

Universal Credit is now live within Huntingdonshire. This means you can only apply for Housing Benefit if you are

1) of pensionable age (if you are a couple, both of you must be of pensionable age)

2) are entitled to the Severe Disability Premium within your JSA(IB), ESA (IR), Income Support or Housing Benefit

3) live in exempt or certain specified accommodation 4) have been placed in temporary housing by the Council.

If you don’t fall into one of these groups you will need to make a claim for Universal Credit for help with your housing costs (rent payments).

If you want to claim Council Tax Support for help towards your Council Tax bill you will need to make a claim to the Council for this. Go to Council Tax Support page for more details

What are discretionary payments?

Discretionary Housing Payments are additional help you can apply for if you are already getting Housing Benefit or the Universal Credit Housing Element.

The payments are designed to make up some or all of the shortfall between the help you already get and the amount of rent you have to pay. Discretionary payments can help you if:

you are struggling to pay your rent
you have other circumstances that are causing you hardship
you are finding it difficult because of the under occupation or benefit cap rules
the Housing Element of Universal Credit does not cover your full housing costs

A Discretionary Housing Payment cannot help towards:

amounts for ineligible service charges within your rent, such as heating, water or lighting
an amount being recovered from your Housing Benefit payments towards repaying a previous overpayment
deductions being made for non dependant who live with you
an amount being deducted towards a benefit sanction.

The payments are discretionary which means making an application does not definitely mean you will get help.

How do we work out your award?

Any award is determined by your individual circumstances and the level of income you have left after taking into account your essential expenditure.

A number of factors are taken into account before a Discretionary Housing Payment award can be made:

income
savings
other people in your home
your loans and debts
your money managing skills
illness or disability in your household
your efforts to improve your situation

We have limited funds for Discretionary Payments, so these payments are normally for a temporary period. You must already be receiving some Housing Benefit or the Universal Credit Housing element to be eligible for these payments.

What to do if you disagree with a decision

When a decision has been made about your request for Discretionary Housing Payment we will notify you of the outcome in writing. If you are not happy about the amount of your Discretionary Housing Payment you must put you reasons in writing, so that a review of the decision can be considered.

How to apply

Complete a Discretionary Housing Payment application form [PDF, 47Kb] and return to Benefit Section, Pathfinder House, St Mary’s Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3TN

Additional help

Where can I get additional support and advice?

You can get free, independent advice about rent problems from various local agencies:

And national agencies:

Benefits