What are Discretionary Housing Payments?
Discretionary Housing Payments are payments that the Council may be able to make to give you further assistance towards your
housing costs.
To qualify for Discretionary Housing Payments you must:
- Be in receipt of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit
AND
- Require further assistance in order to meet your housing costs
There is no list covering every situation that will be allowed a Discretionary Housing Payment. Each application will be considered
according to its own merits.
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Examples of When a Discretionary Housing Payment May be Made
Below are some examples of when a Discretionary Housing Payment may be made:
- A pregnant woman, close to the due date, moves into a home more suitable for herself and child. The rent is restricted by
the Rent Officer because the property is considered too large for one person until the child is born.
- A disabled person lives in a ground floor flat near to a clinic they attend for therapy. They could get a cheaper flat, but
it would mean higher transport costs they could get a cheaper flat, but it would mean higher transport costs they can’t afford.
- A family has a child who is undergoing prolonged hospital treatment. The family used to live some miles away from the hospital
but have moved nearer so that the child can be visited.
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