Eligibility
Important - Discretionary Housing Payments can only be awarded to help you to pay your rent. They are not awarded for any goods or paying utility bills.
You can claim if -
- you have unavoidable extra expenses because of special circumstances, such as -
- disabilities
- health problems
- urgent debts
- you are trying to find a more suitable property or a cheaper one as you are struggling to pay the rent for your current address
- there are special reasons why you need to stay in a particular property like adaptations or for care reason
You cannot claim for -
- any services included in your rent that are not eligible for Housing Benefit or the Universal Credit Housing Element. For example -
- water rates
- heating
- meals
- increases to rent to collect outstanding arrears
- loss of income if your benefits have been suspended or sanctioned
- a shortfall caused by the recovery of overpaid housing benefit
- a shortfall in help towards your Council Tax