Discretionary Housing Payment(DHP)

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is a government-funded grant available in the UK that provides financial assistance to people who need extra help with their housing costs. The purpose of DHP is to help people on low incomes or benefits who are having difficulty meeting the cost of their housing. It can be used to cover the rent, mortgage interest or other essential housing costs.

The scope of DHP is wide and it can be used to supplement housing benefit or Universal Credit, as well as cover any essential costs related to housing such as rent arrears, removal costs or deposits. It can also be used to cover costs associated with changes in circumstances or special circumstances such as ill health, homelessness or domestic violence. DHP is a discretionary payment and is allocated at the discretion of the local authority. The amount of DHP awarded is tailored to the individual’s circumstances and is dependent on the amount of money available from the local authority in any given year.