Financial assessment for discretionary housing payment
After receiving housing benefit, if you are still in financial difficulty due to a shortfall between your benefit entitlement and the rent you are charged, you can apply for a discretionary housing payment (DHP).
We will look closely at your personal circumstances and your finances, and may make an additional award of benefit if you are suffering hardship. This benefit is paid from a fixed annual fund and is a discretionary payment and is not awarded to everyone who claims it.
DHPs - frequently asked questions
When can a discretionary housing payment be made?
Who can get a discretionary housing payment?
What information should I send with the claim?
If I don’t get it, can I appeal?
When can a discretionary housing payment be made?
A discretionary housing payment can be paid to you if the council believes that you need further help with housing costs. This may include help with paying off arrears in some circumstances, although not if you were receiving enough housing benefit to pay all of your rent at the time the arrears built up. A discretionary housing payment cannot be paid if the reason for shortfall is that your housing benefit has been reduced to recover an overpayment.
Who can get a discretionary housing payment?
Other than the ones above, there are no rules about who can get discretionary housing payments. Each housing/council tax benefit department is given a pot of money and they are allowed to decide who should be given the payments.
The housing/council tax department will usually take into account any special circumstances that contribute to your financial difficulties, for example, if:
• you have to pay child maintenance
• you have to pay legal costs
• you have extra heating costs because you spend a lot of time at home because you are sick or have a disability
• you have additional travel costs because you travel to a doctor or hospital or you care for a relative or friend.
How can I claim?
Discretionary Housing Benefit Payment application (PDF)
Discretionary Housing Benefit Payment application (word)
Fill in a claim form (above) and return it to us (including via email).
A discretionary housing benefit payment form is different to the form that you will have filled in when you first claimed housing or council tax benefit.
What information should I send with the claim?
You will be asked to give evidence of your expenditure (ie the money you have going out). This could be a copy of a bill or your bank statements. You should also provide any information about your circumstances that make things difficult for you financially.
If I don't get it, can I appeal?
No. You can ask the council to have another look at their decision but if they don't change their mind, you can't take the matter any further..
If you would like to know more about housing and council tax benefit please see the benefit FAQ's and if you still have questions please do contact us.
If you need advice on welfare benefits and debt, you can contact
Hammersmith & Fulham citizens advice bureau 
email: enquiries@hfcab.org.uk
0845 458 2515
H&F Credit Union
email: info@hfcu.co.uk
020 7471 2626
Age Concern
email: info@achf.co.uk
020 7386 9085
You can check your benefit details online
You can check your council tax benefit and/or housing benefit account details online - by signing up for a 'My account' and registering for the 'housing and council tax benefit service'
Page last updated: 29/07/2011
