Extra help with rent and Council Tax

If you need extra help with housing and Council Tax costs in some circumstances we may be able to offer a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHPs). This is a special payment made on top of housing or Council Tax benefit.

Discretionary Housing Payments are not part of the normal Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit schemes. They are funded by Central Government on a yearly basis and the money available is limited. Therefore, we will only grant help to people who have special circumstances, which make it difficult for them to pay their rent, Council Tax or both.

You can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment if you are:

currently entitled to Housing Benefit
not receiving full Housing Benefit
currently entitled to Council Tax Benefit
not receiving full Council Tax Benefit.

The sort of circumstances we can help with are:

If your income is too high for you to qualify for full Housing or Council Tax benefit
If rent charged by the landlord is more than the amount allowed by Housing Benefit
Where Housing or Council Tax Benefit has been reduced because a non-dependant lives in the home and they can't help you with meeting the shortfall.

The kind of things we take into consideration are:

Income, for example, earnings, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits, works pensions, maintenance
Savings you have that may cover the shortfall for a period
Contractual expenses which you are tied into for a set period
Any contribution made by a non-dependent
Outgoings such as loan repayments, fares to work, registered child-minding fees, hire purchase for essential items, extra expenses connected with health issues, such as extra travel costs etc
For private tenant rent cases you could look at the possibility of negotiating a lower rent with your landlord
The possibility of moving to more affordable accommodation
Whether you have tried to find suitable alternative accommodation
The threat of eviction.
We will treat every case on its own merits and may also be able to take into account other factors not mentioned above.

A Discretionary Housing Payment cannot be made to help with the following:

Service charges that are not covered by Housing Benefit
Charges for water or sewerage services
Deductions in benefit as a result of Job Seekers Allowance sanctions
Where Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit is cancelled
To top up a Second Adult Rebate.

How long can a Discretionary Housing Payment be paid for?

DHPs are usually awarded for a set period and this may vary from case to case. The length of time of the initial award of a DHP is based on the amount of time we think it will take you to find a solution to the problem. For example, if the rent is high, we may pay a DHP while you look for alternative accommodation or negotiate a lower rent with your landlord.

How do I apply?

You will need to complete a DHP claim form. You can download this by clicking on the PDF icon below.

You can also get this form from the Housing Benefits Service by using our online form or by:

e-mail: city.direct@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Telephone: 01902 551166
Minicom: 01902 555554
Fax: 01902 551195

Or pick the form up from the Housing Benefits reception in the Civic Centre.

We will need to see original evidence of any additional expenditure that you have, such as loan repayments, outstanding debts and bills/expenditure.

Can a Discretionary Housing Payment be extended?

A DHP is normally paid for a specific period but in some circumstances you may not have been able to take action to reduce your expenditure and may still wish to continue receiving assistance. If this is the case you should complete the form below and supply original evidence of any additional expenditure that you have. To download the extension form click on the PDF icon below or contact us to request the form using the contact details above.