UK-wide
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
Last verified: 4 October 2026. We check the official source every night. How we verify.
Extra, limited help from your council toward a rent shortfall if you already get Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit. It is discretionary, not an entitlement, and budgets run out.
How much you could get
There is no national weekly rate. Each council sets awards from a limited pot. Treat any figure you see online as an example, not a promise.
Check the current amount on the official page.
Who can claim
You must already get HB or UC housing costs, have a shortfall (for example after the benefit cap, bedroom tax or Local Housing Allowance), and apply to the council that administers housing help where you live.
Eligibility conditions
These are the structured conditions Benefit Badger uses in the eligibility check. They are a guide, not a decision.
- You live in the UK.
- You pay rent.
Check if Discretionary Housing Payment may apply to you
It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.
When it may not apply
If you do not get a housing means-tested payment, a DHP cannot top it up. Councils can refuse or time-limit awards. It does not pay council tax — that is Council Tax Reduction.
Where you live
Discretionary Housing Payment is available UK-wide, but the claim route can still differ across nations.
Browse benefits in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or the A–Z list.
How to claim
- You must already get Housing Benefit or the Universal Credit housing element. Discretionary Housing Payment is extra help from the council toward rent shortfalls. It is limited, discretionary and not an entitlement. Official page
- Apply to your local council. Each council has its own form and budget. GOV.UK points you to the right place. Official page
- Explain the shortfall and any disability, children or pending move. Councils look at hardship. Send the evidence they ask for. A DHP can be short-term.
- A refusal does not mean your main housing claim is wrong. Ask the council how to challenge a DHP decision. Separately, check that your Housing Benefit or UC housing element is calculated correctly.
Official sources
- Discretionary Housing Payments — GOV.UK (primary source)
Related benefits
See all housing and bills benefits.
Source: Local authorities. This page is guidance from an independent service, not a government decision. Only the relevant government department can confirm eligibility and make a payment.
Check if this may apply to you
It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.