Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs)
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are extra payments to help you to pay your rent. DHPs are paid from a limited fund and are awarded in situations where there is considered to be severe financial difficulty.
If you receive the Housing element of Universal Credit, or Housing Benefit you may be eligible for a DHP.
You can apply for DHP using our PDF application form (also at the bottom of this page). The completed form can be emailed to: hdc-dhp@milton-keynes.gov.uk
What DHPs cover
- Shortfall between rental cost and Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit
- Rent deposits
- Rent in advance
- Removal costs
What DHPs do not cover
- Ineligible service charges
- Increases in rent due to outstanding rent arrears
- Sanctions and reductions in benefit
- Benefit suspensions
- Shortfalls caused by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit overpayment recovery
How a decision is made
Each application is looked at on its own merits. We will consider things like:
- any efforts you have made to reduce your rent
- your financial and medial circumstances and of anyone who lives with you
- your household income and expenditure
- your households savings and investments
- if you have any exceptional circumstances
- the amount of money available in the fund when your application is considered
- efforts you have made to improve you financial situation
- efforts you have made to find alternative affordable accommodation
Once we have assessed your application we will notify you in writing giving the reasons for our decision.
Appeals
There is no right of appeal to an independent tribunal. However, you can ask us to look at our decision again.
You can ask for a review if:
- We have refused your award
- We have awarded a reduced amount
- We have told you we have overpaid you
Email hdc-dhp@milton-keynes.gov.uk