How to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment
Key points
- If your Universal Credit or Housing Benefit does not cover your full rent, your council may give you a Discretionary Housing Payment to help.
- A DHP can cover a rent shortfall, a rent deposit, or rent paid in advance to a new landlord.
- You do not have to pay a Discretionary Housing Payment back — it is a grant from the council, not a loan.
If your Universal Credit (UC) or Housing Benefit does not cover all your rent, your local council may be able to top it up. This top-up is called a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). It is paid by your council, on top of your benefits, and you do not have to pay it back.
In April 2026, England renamed the scheme to the Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment. Most councils still call it a DHP and the way you apply has not changed.
Who can apply
To apply, you need to be getting either Housing Benefit or the housing part of Universal Credit. You can be working, on a low income, or unable to work — as long as one of these benefits is already paying part of your rent.
What a DHP can pay for
A Discretionary Housing Payment can help with:
- A rent shortfall — the gap between your benefits and your rent.
- A rent deposit if you are moving to a new home.
- Rent in advance, often one month, that some landlords ask for up front.
Some councils will also help with moving costs. Each council decides its own rules.
How to apply
- Search online for "[your council name] Discretionary Housing Payment". You will land on your council's own page.
- Fill in their online form, or download a paper form to post.
- Include any evidence that helps your case — rent statements, payslips, a letter from your landlord, or a doctor's note if you are ill or disabled.
- Submit and wait. Most councils reply within a few weeks.
If you cannot find the form, ring the council's housing benefits line. Tell them you would like to apply for a DHP. They will guide you through it.
Search for your next property on DSSmove →If you need a hand with the form
You do not have to do this on your own. Two charities offer free, friendly support:
- Citizens Advice can sit with you and help you fill in the form.
- Shelter has online guides and a free advice line if your case is more complex, for example if you are at risk of losing your home.
What to expect
The council looks at your full money situation — your income, your rent, your family, any health needs — and decides if it can help, and for how long. A DHP is usually short-term, a few weeks to a few months, while you get back on your feet. Some councils will award longer where the need is clear.
You will not have to pay the money back. It is help, not a loan.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if my council says no?
You can ask the council to look at the decision again — most have a review route printed on the decision letter. Citizens Advice and Shelter can help you put your case in writing if you would like a second pair of eyes.
I live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland — can I still get a DHP?
Yes. The schemes work a bit differently in each nation but the basic idea is the same. Shelter has a page for each UK nation that walks you through how to apply where you live.
Official source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments