Housing - Discretionary Housing Payment claim form

Introduction

Discretionary Housing Payments give some people extra help with their rent

• Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) are not payments of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
• DHP can not help towards council tax or service charges.
• Only people who have active Housing Benefit or the Housing Element of Universal Credit claims can apply for DHP.
• If you are awarded a DHP it will be paid with your Housing benefit or within the monthly cycle of Universal Credit.
• The council has the right to amend, suspend or cancel your DHP at any time.
• We usually pay DHP for a limited period of time only and you should seek advice with regard to your housing needs and ways to manage financially in the long term.
• The Financial Inclusion Team manages the DHP fund.
• Paper forms are only for exceptional circumstances, please apply online if possible:
  http://services.southwark.gov.uk/dhponline
• The fund is limited and is not used to reimburse funds that may have been spent.
• Your application will be assessed under part VII of the Housing Act 1996 for homelessness prevention.
• Following this application, you may be referred for an appointment with a homelessness prevention officer for further advice on your housing circumstance.