Discretionary Housing Payment

Extra help with your rent

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are short-term payments that may be made towards your rent if you are suffering financial hardship. 

To receive a DHP you must be receiving housing benefit or universal credit which includes housing costs. 

DHPs are paid from a limited budget and each request is considered on its own merits..

You can use the same form to apply for help with your rent and council tax.

What can DHPs help with?

  • if you are under occupying your property and your housing benefit has a reduction because of this
  • if the rent you pay is considered too high for the property you occupy
  • if you are single, under 35 years of age and are living in a one-bedroom flat or larger property
  • if your benefit is being reduced because there is a non-dependant in the household
  • where your income is above the level the Government says you need, but you are still struggling to pay your rent

The amount of discretionary payment and the period of the award

We will consider things like:

  • the amount you get in housing benefit/universal credit and the amount of council tax you have to pay
  • the financial and medical circumstances of you and anyone who lives with you
  • the income and expenditure of you and anyone who lives with you
  • your savings and investments and any held by anyone else living with you
  • any debts owed by you or anyone else who lives with you
  • if you have any exceptional circumstances
  • any other special situations

We will tell you how much we have awarded and the period we have awarded it for. You may not get as much as you need to pay your full rent or the award may not be for as long as you would like.

If you get an award there is no guarantee that another award will be made at a later date even if your circumstances have not changed.

Apply for extra help

Free impartial debt and budgeting advice

Bolton’s Money Skills Service offer free, impartial debt and budgeting advice to the residents of Bolton. If you have rent arrears or you are struggling to pay your household bills, contact Money Skills to see what help is available.

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