Discretionary housing payments and hardship payments
Discretionary Housing Payments
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are extra payments that can be awarded in addition to your Housing Benefit/Universal Credit to help with rent or certain housing costs.
Funding is limited which means that priority will be given to the most vulnerable residents who are experiencing financial hardship and meet the eligibility criteria.
In most cases, payments will be awarded for short term periods only and to those who are taking steps to help themselves, for example, by actively seeking work, alternative accommodation or a long-term solution to their financial problems.
Who can apply?
We will only be able to consider an application for a DHP if you are receiving Housing Benefit (HB) or the housing costs element of Universal Credit (UCHE) (or were receiving HB/UCHE if asking for help with a past period)
What is considered when deciding to award a DHP?
You will need to demonstrate that due to personal circumstances you need extra help with your housing costs. This could be because:
- you have unavoidable extra expenses due to illness or significant health problems
- your income has reduced, for example due to the benefit cap or someone has moved out and you are now getting less HB/UCHE because you are under occupying your property
- your choice of housing was due to urgency or special needs, for example you are fleeing domestic abuse and trying to move to a place of safety, or you are person with a disability living in adapted accommodation
- you could afford the rent when you moved in, but your circumstances have changed, and it will be difficult to move until your tenancy ends
- you have found cheaper accommodation to move to but need help with the deposit/moving costs
- you have rent arrears, and this is making it hard to secure and move to alternative accommodation
- you have lost your job and need help while you look for employment
This list of examples is intended as a guide only and does not guarantee a DHP award or that other circumstances won’t be taken into account.
We will also consider other factors, for example:
- if you have any savings
- if there is anyone in the household that could provide financial help
- whether you have debts
- if there is a significant shortfall between your HB/UCHE and your rental liability
- whether you have tried to renegotiate the rent with the landlord
Discretionary Housing Payment Guide 2023/24 (PDF 2MB)
Applying for a Discretionary Housing Payment
To apply you will need to complete our Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) request form. Please tell us as much as possible about your circumstances and why you need extra help. Some parts of the form will ask you to upload supporting evidence; it is important that you do this at that point as you will not be able to return to upload evidence once the form has been submitted.
Please help us to speed up the decision about your DHP request by completing the form accurately and providing the supporting documents at the same time.
Please note: If you also receive Council Tax Reduction we will consider a Hardship Payment at the same time, so you only need to apply for a DHP to be considered for both – you do not need to complete two separate forms.
Council Tax Hardship Payments for help with your Council Tax
Council Tax Hardship Payments (HPs) are extra payments that can be awarded to help where your Council Tax Reduction (CTR) award is less than the amount of Council Tax you are liable to pay.
Funding is limited which means that priority will be given to the most vulnerable residents who are experiencing financial hardship and meet the eligibility criteria.
In most cases, payments will be awarded for short term periods only and to those who are taking steps to help themselves, for example, by actively seeking work, or a long-term solution to their financial problems.
Hardship Payment Guide 2023/24 (PDF 1.6MB)
Who can apply?
We will only be able to consider an application for a HP if you are receiving Council Tax Reduction (or were receiving CTR if asking for help with a past period)
You will need to demonstrate the reasons why you need extra help towards your Council Tax.
We will consider:
- if you have any savings
- if there is anyone in the household that could provide financial help
- whether you have debts
To apply you will need to complete our Hardship Payment (HP) request form. It is important that you tell us as much as possible about your circumstances and why you need extra help. You will need to provide evidence to support your claim. DO NOT complete this form if you are requesting a Discretionary Housing Payment.
If you need help with either form please call us on 020 8708 5690
What happens once I've applied?
When we receive your application, we will consider your request. If we need to contact you to request any missing information or supporting documents, the decision about your DHP/HP request will be delayed.
When we have all the evidence that we need, we will assess your request and write to let you know if you have been successful or not.
What if my circumstances change?
If your circumstances change you need to tell us straight away by email, letter or online
Report your change and upload your document
We will look at your award again to see if we need to change it. If the change means we have to reduce your DHP and/or HP, we will write to you and let you know. You may have to pay back some of the money we have already paid to you.
What should I do if I disagree with a decision?
DHPs and HPs are not benefit payments, so you do not have the right to appeal, however, you can ask us to look at the decision again by sending an email or letter explaining why you disagree with it.
How to contact us
Website: Redbridge Benefits page
Email: housing.benefits@redbridge.gov.uk
Letter: Revenues, Benefits & Transactional Centre, Lynton House, 255-259 High Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1NN
Telephone: 020 8708 5690
Additional help
Work Redbridge can offer you help with CV writing tips, training courses, apprenticeships and you are able to find the latest local vacancies. You can find further information at the Work Redbridge page.
There is also a lot of information and guidance for residents struggling with the financial impact of the cost of living at the councils Cost of Living page.
