Discretionary Housing Payment

Overview

Discretionary Housing Payment is a short-term top-up administered by local councils across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is paid to people already receiving Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit whose housing support falls short of their rent. It is not a right — councils exercise discretion, weighing both the applicant's financial circumstances and the reasons for the shortfall. Common triggers include a Local Housing Allowance (LHA) cap in the private rented sector, the spare-room subsidy reduction (often called the bedroom tax) in social housing, a reduction under the benefit cap, a need for rent in advance or a tenancy deposit, removal costs tied to a housing crisis, or a sudden change in household circumstances. Awards can be paid as a lump sum or ongoing for a defined period, and can be paid either to the claimant or directly to the landlord. Discretionary Housing Payment cannot be used to pay council tax, heating costs, water or sewerage charges, or most service charges bundled into rent. In Scotland, the Scottish Government funds local councils to use Discretionary Housing Payment to fully mitigate the spare-room subsidy, making its effective reach wider than in other nations. Applications are made through the local council, which holds the final decision on award and amount; the scheme is not appealable in the same way as other benefit decisions, though councils typically offer an internal review process.

Applies in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. Administered by Council. This page is general information; contact Council for your individual circumstances.

Find Discretionary Housing Payment in your council

Discretionary Housing Payment is administered by your local council. We track the top councils below — pick yours for direct application links and eligibility criteria.

Not listed? Check your council's benefits page via GOV.UK Find your local council.

Eligibility criteria include

• OTHER
  Must be receiving Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and have a shortfall between rent and the amount of housing support received. ^[GOV.UK]
• HOUSING STATUS
  The shortfall must relate to actual rent costs — eligible reasons include Local Housing Allowance (LHA) caps, spare-room subsidy (bedroom tax), benefit cap reductions, rent deposit/advance, removal costs, or other sudden changes in housing circumstances. ^[GOV.UK]
• OTHER
  Councils exercise discretion — awards are not a statutory right; the council weighs the applicant's financial circumstances and the reasons for the shortfall. ^[GOV.UK]
• RESIDENCE
  Must be applied for through the local council where the claimant resides. In Scotland, DHP is used alongside the Scottish mitigation of the spare-room subsidy. ^[GOV.UK]
• OTHER
  DHP cannot be used to cover council tax, heating costs, water/sewerage charges, or most service charges within rent. ^[GOV.UK]

Sources