Discretionary housing payments

Contact your local district council or Soha Housing for a claim form. You can find your council here.

Discretionary Housing Payments can bepaid weekly, or as a lump sum. They can be backdated in some case.

To decide if you can get a payment, the council will consider if you:

• Are on a low incomenhave non-dependent adults living with you
• Receive benefits because you or your child have a disability
• Have to pay child maintenance or legal costs
• Have high heating costs from spending time at home because of illness or disability
• Have extra travel costs to visit the doctor or hospital, or you care for a relative or friend
• Are likely to become homeless without extra financial support

They will try to assist people who have been particularly affected by the Benefit Cap or non-dependent deductions. This is where people are going to lose housing benefit, or the housing element of Universal Credit when they carry on living in a home larger than the Government thinks they need.

Foster carers and people living insignificantly adapted homes are likely to get priority. There is no right of appeal if the council says you cannot get a Discretionary Housing Payment.