Discretionary Housing Payments
Discretionary housing payments are 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.
Discretionary housing payments are not intended to be long term
ongoing payments; they are awarded on a short term basis.
How to apply
Please contact 01622 602557 to request a form or download
it here; Discretionary Housing Payment form. Once
the form is completed please return it to the Benefits
section along with your supporting evidence from
the Supporting
Document List.
How is it assessed?
We will look at your claim to see if we can make a payment. We
look at each case individually based on each person's
circumstances, income and capital. We will write to you to tell you
whether or not your claim has been successful.
We will tell you how much you will get and how long it will last
for. We can only make the payment for a set period, but you can
reapply when the payment stops.
Change of circumstances
You must tell us about anything that might affect your
entitlement to discretionary housing payments.
You should do this within 1 month of the change taking
place.
Appealing
If you're not satisfied with our decision or how we explain our
decision, you can appeal. You must appeal in writing.
Send your appeal to us (our address is on your benefit letters).
You must do this within one month of the decision you are appealing
against.