Discretionary Housing Payment

If you get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit but need extra help with rent or moving costs then you may be able to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).

A Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment is short-term, temporary financial assistance towards housing costs to allow time for the recipient to make alternative arrangements to ensure their housing costs are met in the long-term. A payment cannot be made above the eligible rent used in calculating Housing Benefit and Universal Credit.

A person must be in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit (with the Housing Element) when applying for this type of payment.

What the payment can cover

• reductions in Housing Benefit or Universal Credit

• rent deposits or rent in advance (must be applied for prior to signing and moving in)

• moving costs (must be applied for prior to moving)

What the payment cannot cover

• service charges not covered by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit

• increases in rent due to outstanding rent arrears

• certain sanctions and reductions in benefit

• shortfalls in Housing Benefit caused by recovery of overpayments

If you wish to apply for a Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment, the application form will be available to download and complete from Monday 23 March 2026