Discretionary Housing Payments
Discretionary Housing Payments are payments made by the Council where it is satisfied that a person needs extra financial help with their Housing costs. Read the notes and download a claim form here.
Discretionary Housing Payments are payments made by the Council where it is satisfied that a person needs extra financial help with their Housing costs, i.e. with their rent and/or council tax.
The Discretionary Housing Payments policy is available on the downlaods menu at the rught hand side of this page
Who can claim a Discretionary Housing Payment?
Only persons receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, or both, can claim a Discretionary Housing Payment.
However, if a person already receives maximum assistance from the Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit scheme a Discretionary Housing Payment cannot be awarded.
We will consider a request for a Discretionary Housing Payment where a person can show that there is a genuine need for further help with their rent and/or Council Tax and where there are special circumstances to support that need. The Council has complete discretion when deciding whom to make payments to.
A Discretionary Housing Payment will not usually be awarded where it is considered that a rent being charged for a property is excessive or where the accommodation is too large for a person’s needs, and other suitable accommodation is available.
A Discretionary Housing Payment cannot be made for any service charges included in a rent that are not eligible for Housing Benefit, e.g. water charges, fuel costs, etc.
How to claim a Discretionary Housing Payment
If you wish to claim a Discretionary Housing Payment, you must complete an application form and statement of expenditure and return them both to the Benefits Team with the relevant documentation to support your claim. See the downloads section at the right hand side of this page for the application form and guidance notes.
We will need to check the information that you give and this may mean that you will need to attend for an interview.
If you need to supply further information in support of your claim you will need to do so within 14 days of the Council asking for it.
What happens next?
Your application will be decided by a panel and you will be told in writing whether or not you have been sucessful.
If your application is unsuccessful, you do not have the right to appeal against the decision. You can however ask for the decision to be looked at again within 14 days of being notified of the decision. A decision will only be looked at again if fresh information and evidence is provided in support of your application.
If your application is successful, the amount of the award and the length of time that the award is made for will depend on your circumstances. We will not give a long-term commitment to paying the award and will expect you, during the period of the award, to make alternative arrangements to improve the circumstances that the award has been based on.
How an award will be made
We will decide how an award of a Discretionary Housing Payment will be made.
If you are a Council Tenant, any award will usually be paid to your rent account.
If you are a Private Tenant, the award will either be made directly to yourself or directly to your Landlord or Landlord’s agent depending on your circumstances.
If you receive an award to help with the payment of Council Tax the award will usually be paid directly to your Council Tax account.
Changes of circumstances
You must inform us immediately of any change in your income and circumstances and the income and circumstances of anyone who lives in your household. For example:
- Any increase in wages or any other income,
- Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance ending,
- Anyone joining or leaving your household, etc.
It is a criminal offence to obtain monies dishonestly and the Council will not hesitate to use its powers to prosecute if necessary.
Further information
If you require any further information, you can contact the Benefits Team by:
- Telephoning (01524) 582965 between 9am & 5pm Monday to Friday
- Calling personally at Lancaster Town Hall or Morecambe Town Hall, between 9am & 5pm Monday to Friday.