Discretionary Housing Payment

Discretionary Housing Payments can provide extra money when your council decides that you need extra help to meet your housing costs.

Your council will look at your circumstances to see whether you are eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment.  They will decide whether to award, how much you will be paid and for how long you will receive the payment.

To claim a Discretionary Housing Payment you must be in receipt of:

Discretionary Housing Payments can be used to offset reductions to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs due to:

  • the benefit cap and/or
  • removal of the spare room subsidy (better known as the bedroom tax)
  • a non-dependent living within your household

If you want help to apply for Discretionary Housing Payments or would like more information please contact us.

External Links

      For more information: www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments

      In Clackmannanshire: www.clacks.gov.uk/council/discretionaryhousingpayments/

      In Fife: www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/housing/housing-benefit/discretionary-housing-payment