Discretionary Housing Payments Guidance Notes
What are Discretionary Housing Payments?
On 2 July 2001 the Government introduced a new scheme called Discretionary Housing Payments, which allows Councils to make additional payments to people who receive Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit who appear to need further help with their rent and/or Council Tax payments.
These are not intended to be long term ongoing payments; they are awarded on a short term basis while you take action to improve your circumstances.
How do I get Discretionary Housing Payments?
To be considered for a Discretionary Housing Payment you must complete the Discretionary Housing Payment form and send this to the Benefits Section along with supporting documentary evidence.
What will I need to tell you?
When you complete the form we will need to know why you think you should get an additional payment towards your rent and/or Council Tax payments, what your circumstances are, any action you have taken to help yourself and anything else you think may help us make a decision.
You should supply as much detail as possible so that we fully understand your situation.
You will also need to tell us about all the money you have coming into your household (income) and all the money you pay out each week/month (expenditure) and provide your last two months bank statements. Your application may be held up if you do not supply your bank statements.
When you have completed and returned your form we will consider all aspects of your circumstances before we decide if we can award you a Discretionary Housing Payment. We may wish to visit you at home or ask you to come into the office to discuss your application further.
How will the Benefits Section make a decision about Discretionary Housing Payments?
We will consider all requests for Discretionary Housing Payments while trying to ensure that payments are made to those most in need.
There is no list of circumstances that will automatically qualify you for an award of Discretionary Housing Payments. Each request will be considered on its own merits, but you will need to demonstrate that you do not have the means to pay the shortfall in your rent or Council Tax yourself and that you have not intentionally taken on a tenancy that you knew you could not afford.
Wherever it is possible and reasonable to do so, you will be expected to take steps to improve the circumstances that have led to the need for a discretionary payment, for example - finding more affordable accommodation.
Can I claim Discretionary Housing Payments to cover all my housing costs?
Discretionary Housing Payments cannot be awarded for any of the following:
- Ineligible service or support charges
- Any rent you have to pay if you only qualify for Council Tax Benefit
- Any Council Tax you have to pay if you only qualify for Housing Benefit or Second Adult Rebate
- Increases in your rent to cover rent arrears
- Reductions in any benefit as a result of Child Support
- Amounts of Housing or Council Tax Benefit that have been suspended
How much money can I get?
Discretionary Housing Payments will be paid at the discretion of Dartford Borough Council, but they will not be greater than your weekly rent or Council Tax liability. For example if your eligible rent is £50.00 per week and your entitlement to Housing Benefit is £45.00 the maximum Discretionary Housing Payment you can get is £5.00 per week.
The money we get to pay Discretionary Housing Payments comes directly from central Government and is strictly limited each year. Therefore, if a Discretionary Housing Payment is awarded, it will last for a specified period of time (possibly 3 or 6 months at the most), and then it will end. You can apply for another Discretionary Housing Payment award and this will be considered.
Once the Discretionary Housing Payments fund has been allocated in full, further requests within that year will be turned down.
If you are awarded a Discretionary Housing Payment and we later find out you should not have been entitled to it, we will ask you to return the money.
What if you turn my request down?
If your application for a Discretionary Housing Payment is turned down and there is something you feel we have not considered or were not aware of; we will look at our decision again if you write to us within one month of the date that we inform you that your claim has been refused.
I want to apply
If you wish to proceed with an application for Discretionary Housing Payments, please complete all sections of the claim form and return the form to the Benefits Section at the Civic Centre, Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent DA1 1DR as soon as possible, remembering to include any documentary evidence.
You may keep these notes for your future reference.
