Discretionary housing payments

Discretionary housing payments are not payments of benefit.

They are extra payments made in addition to housing or council tax benefit at the discretion of the Council from a cash limited amount of money.

These additional payments may be made at the discretion of the authority where we think that extra help with housing costs is needed.

Housing costs are what you pay for your council tax and your eligible rent. Discretionary housing payments cannot be paid for some costs such as water rates or heating charges.

To claim a discretionary housing payment you must be entitled to some housing and/or council tax benefit.

Here are just a few examples of where a discretionary housing payment may be considered:-

• you have costs beyond your control that have not occurred through your own actions

• your choice of home was forced on you by an emergency

• your circumstances are unusual or exceptional

When you claim a discretionary housing payment you must satisfy us that you do need further assistance with your rent and/or council tax. We cannot pay you a discretionary housing payment if you are already receiving your eligible amount of rent and/or council tax.

To claim a discretionary housing payment you must fill in an application form and provide details of your income and expenditure. The form should be returned to the benefits section.