What is a Discretionary Housing Payment or Housing Payment?
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In short: It is extra, discretionary help from your council toward rent if you already get Housing Benefit or the Universal Credit housing element and still have a shortfall. In England from 1 April 2026 the scheme is a Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment. Wales still calls it Discretionary Housing Payment.
Last reviewed:
Reviewed by Kaiser Khan
England revoked the 2001 DHP regulations from 1 April 2026 (SI 2026/271). Councils must name the replacement Housing Payment. You apply to the council, not DWP. Awards are short-term and not a loan. Typical uses: LHA shortfall, spare-room reduction, benefit cap, a deposit to move.
Wales keeps Discretionary Housing Payments. Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own discretionary rent-top-up schemes. There is no national entitlement — if the pot is spent, the council can refuse.
How to apply: housing payment or DHP. Hub: Housing Benefit, LHA and extra housing payments.
Primary source: legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/271/made
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