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A discretionary housing payment (DHP) is extra help you might be able to get for housing costs which include rent payments and moving costs.

You can only get a DHP if you receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.

What it can help with

You may be able to get a DHP to help with:

  • a spare room that Housing Benefit will not pay for
  • benefit caps resulting in reductions to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit
  • your benefit being reduced because there is a non-dependent in the household
  • a rent deposit or rent in advance for moving to a new home
  • removal costs
  • a shortfall between the amount of Housing Benefit or housing costs in Universal Credit you get and the amount of rent you must pay.

What the payment does not cover

We are not able to award a DHP for:

  • service charges not covered by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit
  • increases in rent because you are in arrears
  • rent costs when your benefit has been reduced by the Department for Work and Pensions, normally because of a sanction
  • when your rent is reduced due to recovering a Housing Benefit Overpayment
  • paying council tax

How to apply

You can apply online for a discretionary housing payment with a South Gloucestershire Council account. Use the button below to sign in or set one up.

You will need to provide evidence to support your application.

If you are unable to complete the form through your online account, you can download and complete a Word version of the form. This is best filled out on a laptop or computer. You can access computers for free at your local library.

If you need help completing your form or would like a paper copy call us on 01454 868002 or visit one of our One Stop Shops.

Ways to return your form and supporting documents to us:

Please do not send original documents such as passports in the post. If further evidence is needed we will contact you.

Privacy notice

Find out how we collect, use and share your data in our privacy notice for housing benefit, discretionary housing payments and council tax reduction.

Sometimes we need information about other people who live in the same household as you so we can work out how much you will be eligible for.

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