Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are short-term payments to help people with their rent if they are experiencing financial hardship. DHPs can be awarded as a one-off payment or series of payments. To get a DHP you must be paying rent and be getting Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs.
How long does DHP last?
It is important to note that DHPs will be awarded for a set period of time, anything between 13 weeks and 6 months. Clients need to apply for a new DHP once their initial claim ends.
What is a discretionary payment for?
A Discretionary Housing Payment is for people in need of extra financial assistance on top of their Housing Benefit. You must be entitled to Housing Benefit or the Housing Costs element of Universal Credit to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment.
Do you pay tax on a discretionary payment?
Discretionary Housing Payments do not count as income or capital when calculating your entitlement to means-tested benefits or Tax Credits.
How do I claim my discretionary payment?
To make a claim contact your local authority and ask for more details about Discretionary Housing Payment. Each council has their own form. Typically they will ask for details about your household circumstances, why you are unable to meet your rent or Council Tax payments and for details of your income and spending.
Who qualifies for discretionary housing payments?
You can only get it if you are entitled to Housing Benefit or the Housing Costs element of Universal Credit. It is available to people who are not receiving enough to cover their rent. There can be several reasons for this, for example: your Local Housing Allowance is lower than your rent in private rented property.
How does DHP get paid?
How DHPs are paid. If we decide to pay you a Discretionary Housing Payment towards your rent it will normally be paid together with your Housing Benefit, and this may be paid to you or your landlord.
Is Pip taken into account for DHP?
Housing Benefit and Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) were refused because Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was taken into account.
Do you have to pay back a discretionary fund?
Discretionary Assistance Fund Grants do not need to be paid back. In some urgent situations, IAPs can help if you are trying to move house or stay in your current home.
How long does a discretionary assistance payment take?
It takes 24 hours to process applications (made Monday to Friday). If you apply after 12 pm on a Friday, we will not contact you until the following Monday.
What is the definition of discretionary payments in law?
To determine pursuant to Part V of the Local Government Discretionary Payments Regulations 1996: (a) the amount of any injury allowance payable to an officer; and (b) any time period (s) associated therewith or to any death benefit payments referred to in those provisions.3.15.
Can a nonexempt employee receive a nondiscretionary bonus?
This means that if a nonexempt employee receives a nondiscretionary bonus during a pay period and the hourly rate is raised, this type of payment must be factored into the overtime pay calculations for the period of time covered by the bonus.
What are discretionary payments and injury benefits in Scotland?
The Local Government ( Discretionary Payments and Injury Benefits) (Scotland) Regulations 1998 make provision for authorities to make discretionary payments to local government employees to pay compensation for premature retirement.
What is the limit on discretionary housing payments?
If you award above this limit, you are breaking the law. The legislation which specifies the overall limit on expenditure is Article 7 of the Discretionary Housing Payment (Grants) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2340). 1.13. Any unspent DHP funding from the Government contribution is returned to the department at the end of the financial year.
