# Am I eligible for extra housing payment or Discretionary Housing Payment?

> Eligibility · Last reviewed 22 August 2026

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## In short

You can ask your council for extra rent help if you already get Housing Benefit or the Universal Credit housing element and still cannot cover the rent. In England from 1 April 2026 this is a Housing Payment. In Wales it is still a Discretionary Housing Payment. Awards are discretionary.

There is no national rate. Councils decide. Confirm the name of the scheme on your council’s website before you apply.

Typical amount: Discretionary — often a short-term top-up, a deposit or rent in advance, not the full rent

## Who usually qualifies

- You get Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit
- There is a shortfall, for example Local Housing Allowance, the spare-room reduction or the benefit cap
- You apply to the council for the area you live in

## Who usually does not

- You do not yet get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs
- You only need help with Council Tax — that is Council Tax Reduction, not this scheme
- You want a long-term rent subsidy as of right — this is not that

## How to check

- England: search your council site for Housing Payment or Crisis and Resilience Fund
- Wales: search Discretionary Housing Payment
- Scotland: search your council for discretionary housing payment

## Frequently asked questions

### Did Discretionary Housing Payment end?

In England the 2001 scheme ended on 31 March 2026. The replacement is a Housing Payment under the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Wales kept Discretionary Housing Payments.

### Do I repay it?

No. It is not a loan.

## Related

- [Housing Benefit, LHA and extra housing payments](https://moneyguide.org.uk/benefits-tax/housing-benefit-lha-dhp/)
- [How to apply](https://moneyguide.org.uk/how-to/apply-for-housing-payment-or-dhp/)

## Sources

- [SI 2026/271](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/271/made)
- [GOV.UK DHP manual (Wales)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/discretionary-housing-payments-guidance-manual)

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Independent UK money guidance from [Money Guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk). Information only — not regulated financial advice.