Discretionary Housing Payments

Discretionary Housing Payments - how to apply

What is a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)?

DHP can be awarded to assist with paying your rent if your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs do not cover the full rent.

To be eligible, you must be in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs for the requested period and have a shortfall between your award and the eligible rent charge.

What can a DHP help with?

You can apply for a DHP if you are affected by any of the following: Under-occupancy, Benefit cap, Local Housing Allowance restrictions or Financial hardship.

Discretionary Housing Payments

Find out more about DHP and apply

Under-occupancy (bedroom tax)

This is a deduction from your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs if you are assessed as having 1 or more spare bedrooms. A deduction of 14% is taken for 1 spare bedroom and 25% for 2 or more spare bedrooms.

This will appear on your Universal Credit statement as shown below:

This deduction only affects tenants in Social Sector rented accommodation.

In Argyll & Bute the main Social Sector landlords are:

Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA)
Fyne Homes
West Highland Housing Association
Dunbritton Housing Association
Loretto Housing Association

Apply for an under-occupancy DHP online

Download an under-occupancy DHP form

Request a paper copy at your local Council Service Point or by calling 01546 605512.

Benefit cap

This is a deduction from your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit if your total income from benefits exceeds the UK Government’s current benefit cap amount.

This will appear on your Universal Credit statement as shown below:

Example of a benefit cap reduction shown on a Universal Credit statement - shows an amount of £512.24 being deducted from the overall amount due to the benefit cap

You can find more information about the benefit cap on the UK Government’s website

Apply for a benefit cap DHP online

Download a benefit cap DHP form

Request a paper copy at your local Council Service Point or by calling 01546 605512.

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) restrictions

If you live in Private Sector rented accommodation, your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs are restricted based on the number of bedrooms you are deemed to require, regardless of your actual rent charge.

If you are affected by LHA restrictions this will appear on your Universal Credit statement as shown below:

Example of a Universal Credit statement with LHA restrictions - showing total rent of £525, with payment reduced by £75 per month to £450, the LHA rate for that property size

A short-term financial DHP can be awarded for LHA restrictions for a period of 3 months, subject to a successful financial assessment.

Find more information about LHA restrictions

Apply for a financial DHP online

Download a financial DHP form

Request a paper copy at your local Council Service Point or by calling 01546 605512.

Financial hardship

If your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs are reduced due to other income (eg. earned income, pension or other additional benefits) you may be eligible for a short-term financial DHP.

This can be awarded for a period of 3 months, subject to a successful financial assessment.

Apply for a financial DHP online

Download a financial DHP form

Request a paper copy at your local Council Service Point or by calling 01546 605512.

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