Discretionary Housing Payments
The Government has given local authorities money for
Discretionary Housing Payments which can be used to top-up housing benefit for
anyone subject to the ‘bedroom tax’ penalty. Don’t forget there are exemptions
for foster carers (for up to one year, even if they have no foster child living
with them at the time) and for disabled
children.
Generally these payments are considered a short-term measure,
and the usual length of an award will be for 13 weeks in any period of 12
months. The fund is designed to
help you overcome a transition period if you have problems adjusting to a
tougher household budget. Payments
can also be made to help with the costs of moving to a different
property.
However, long-term awards will be considered for people who may
have very good reasons for staying in their current home, for example
where:there are
substantial adaptations to the property to meet the needs of a physical
disability there are specific medical reasons that make it impossible for you
and your partner to share a room.
It is also possible to claim a Discretionary Housing Payment if
your housing benefit shortfall is likely to cause severe hardship, for example
if it places you at risk of becoming homeless.
Most local authorities will have a form on which to request a
Discretionary Housing Payment. If your authority does not, write a letter
instead.
These are national rules, although it is the local authorities
that have to apply them –see www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council. There is also a
guide to Discretionary Housing Payments at www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/discretionary-housing-payments-guide-draft.pdf
You do not have a right to a Discretionary Housing Payment. It
is up to the local authority whether they give you any payment. They have very
little money to support this, so they are only likely to help if families can
show they have exceptional need, have a significantly adapted home, or will
benefit significantly from short-term support.
The key part of the form that you need to answer thoroughly and
well is this section:
There is help available for people who are already getting some
housing benefit but find it hard to make up the difference in their rent. This
help is limited and it is often difficult for us to decide who to help, so
please complete the following section with as much information about you as
possible. You may wish to tell us
about any problems that you have, for example health and
family.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obviously every person applying has different circumstances so
we cannot tell you what to put here.
However, if you have adaptations to your property you need to explain
what they are and perhaps how much they cost to install.
You also might want to explain your social networks if you depend on
them, and how your physical or mental health would be affected by the prospect
of moving.
It is important to tell your story with as much detail as
possible so that the person making the decision about you understands your
situation.
The remaining section of the form asks for details of your
income and earnings, your weekly expenses and any current outstanding
debts. You do need to show that
you cannot meet the additional housing costs without this
help.
The Government has given local authorities money for
Discretionary Housing Payments which can be used to top-up housing benefit for
anyone subject to the ‘bedroom tax’ penalty. Don’t forget there are exemptions
for foster carers (for up to one year, even if they have no foster child living
with them at the time) and for disabled
children.
Generally these payments are considered a short-term measure,
and the usual length of an award will be for 13 weeks in any period of 12
months. The fund is designed to
help you overcome a transition period if you have problems adjusting to a
tougher household budget. Payments
can also be made to help with the costs of moving to a different
property.
However, long-term awards will be considered for people who may
have very good reasons for staying in their current home, for example
where:there are
substantial adaptations to the property to meet the needs of a physical
disability there are specific medical reasons that make it impossible for you
and your partner to share a room.
It is also possible to claim a Discretionary Housing Payment if
your housing benefit shortfall is likely to cause severe hardship, for example
if it places you at risk of becoming homeless.
Most local authorities will have a form on which to request a
Discretionary Housing Payment. If your authority does not, write a letter
instead.
These are national rules, although it is the local authorities
that have to apply them –see www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council. There is also a
guide to Discretionary Housing Payments at www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/discretionary-housing-payments-guide-draft.pdf
You do not have a right to a Discretionary Housing Payment. It
is up to the local authority whether they give you any payment. They have very
little money to support this, so they are only likely to help if families can
show they have exceptional need, have a significantly adapted home, or will
benefit significantly from short-term support.
The key part of the form that you need to answer thoroughly and
well is this section:
There is help available for people who are already getting some
housing benefit but find it hard to make up the difference in their rent. This
help is limited and it is often difficult for us to decide who to help, so
please complete the following section with as much information about you as
possible. You may wish to tell us
about any problems that you have, for example health and
family.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obviously every person applying has different circumstances so
we cannot tell you what to put here.
However, if you have adaptations to your property you need to explain
what they are and perhaps how much they cost to install.
You also might want to explain your social networks if you depend on
them, and how your physical or mental health would be affected by the prospect
of moving.
It is important to tell your story with as much detail as
possible so that the person making the decision about you understands your
situation.
The remaining section of the form asks for details of your
income and earnings, your weekly expenses and any current outstanding
debts. You do need to show that
you cannot meet the additional housing costs without this
help.