The Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) scheme is for people in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit who need extra support with housing costs.
You will only be able to apply for DHP if you are:
- entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit
- responsible for rent payments and need more financial help with housing costs
- your entitlement to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing element is less than your full rent after deducting any ineligible charges
When you cannot claim DHP
You will not be entitled to DHP to pay for service charges that are not eligible for Housing Benefit, such as water, heating or meals.
DHP payment towards deposits will not be made in any circumstance if you have been able to move in to a property without paying one. This applies even if you have been allowed to move in on the basis that a deposit will be paid at a later date.
There are no rules that give anyone a right to a payment, but we may be able to pay you DHP if we believe you need extra financial help. There is a legal limit on the amount each council can pay each year for people in their area. For more information please read the Discretionary Housing Payment policy.
Apply for Discretionary Housing Payments
Before you start:
- Make sure you choose the correct form. For help to pay rent, select 'Apply for help to pay your rent'. For other housing costs, such as deposits, rent in advance, removal costs or other lump sum costs associated with moving into a new home.
- The application forms are long. There is an option to save your progress at the top of each page.
What happens next?
You will receive a letter to inform you when a decision is made.
We aim to consider applications within two months of receiving them. We will contact you to tell you our decision, or to ask for more information.
Please note that awards of DHP are made on a discretionary basis. Your application does not guarantee that payment will be made.
Checking the progress of your application
If you would like to check the progress of your application please sign in to your MyHarrow Account. You will be able to view the stage of your application and any letters we may have sent you on the account.
Please do not contact us to check the progress of your application until after the two-month period has passed. This will enable us to process your application more quickly.
How we will share your information
We will use the information you provide when you apply for housing benefit, council tax support or emergency relief to process your application. We will also use the information you provide for other purposes. For further details please download our privacy notice.