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Discretionary Housing payments (DHP)
What are Discretionary Housing Payments?
DHPs are extra payments to help pay rent, Council Tax or both. We give DHP's to people claiming benefit who need more help with their housing costs, if these are more than the amount of benefit they get.
The Government give us an amount of money to pay out every year as DHP's and we cannot spend more than this.
We cannot give DHP's for the following
- Service charges not covered by Housing Benefit
- Any rent you owe
- If we take any amount from your Housing Benefit because your Jobseekers Allowance has been sanctioned (not paid because you have broken the terms of your claim)
- When your Housing or Council Tax Benefit payments are suspended
- Rent, if you are only entitled to Council Tax Benefit
- Council Tax, if you only get Housing Benefit
- If the only benefit you get is Second Adult Rebate
How do I apply for a DHP?
You can only apply for a DHP if you are currently entitled to Housing or Council Tax Benefit. You can download an application form.
How do you decide if I can have a DHP?
We look at the following things when we make a decision:-
- Your income
- Your savings
- If anyone else in your house can help you
- If you have any loans or debts
- If you could manage your money better
- If you or anyone in your family is ill or disabled
- If you have tried to put the situation right yourself
We will send you a letter telling you our decision and our reasons for that decision.
If we award you a DHP we will tell you in the letter; the amount and how long we will pay it for.
How much can I get and for how long?
How much we give you depends on your circumstances. We look at each case individually. However, we cannot guarantee we will definitely give you a payment.
For Housing Benefit, we cannot give you more than your total rent (less amounts for services such as electricity or water). And, for Council Tax Benefit, we cannot give you more than the amount of your Council Tax.
How will you pay the DHP if my application is successful?
We will usually pay it with any Housing or Council Tax Benefit that you get, although a DHP is not a benefit payment.
What should I do if I disagree with your decision?
If you disagree with our decision not to give you a DHP, the amount we have decided to give you or how long we will give you a DHP for; you can ask us to look at the decision again.
You should write to us within one calendar month of the date on the decision letter telling us why you do not agree with our decision.
You cannot appeal to the Tribunals Service if you disagree with our decision not to pay you a Discretionary Housing Payment
What if my Circumstances change?
If your circumstances change, you must tell us in writing, straight away.
We will look at your DHP again to see if we need to change it.
If the change means we have to reduce your DHP, you might have to pay back some or all of the DHP we have already paid you.
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Contact Details
For further information or specific help with information on this page, please contact us:
City of Durham CityInfo
Telephone: 0191 301 8499 or Fax: 0191 301 8555
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