Discretionary Housing Payments

DHP is an award, not a benefit payment. They are usually made for a short period to allow you to resolve your financial or housing circumstances such as by seeking alternative affordable accommodation. DHP is not a long-term solution. 

The DHP fund has a limited budget. If you apply for a DHP and meet the criteria, your claim will be considered on its merits. Each application is treated equally and fairly.

You can apply if you:

• receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit
• live in Solihull, and
• need extra help with housing costs

A DHP can help with:

• rent shortfalls due to:
  • the benefit cap
  • under occupancy in the social rented sector (also known as bedroom tax)
• Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates being lower than your rent
• rent in advance or a rent deposit to secure a new home
• rent arrears from either a current or previous tenancy if you were eligible for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs element at the time the arrears occurred
• removal costs (under exceptional circumstances for an immediate, unplanned move)

Applications can take up to 14 working days to assess. If additional information is required to support your application, you will be contacted by email or telephone. Please quote your reference number in all correspondence to financialinclusion@solihull.gov.uk

A DHP is not an automatic award. Each application will be considered in accordance with our DHP policy.

A DHP cannot be paid for the following:

• fuel, water, meals, support services, or other ineligible charges included in your rent
• shortfall in Housing Benefit or Universal Credit due to an overpayment being recovered
• increase in rent due to outstanding rent arrears
• shortfalls caused by sanctions and reductions in benefit
• Council Tax (please refer to Council Tax Discretionary Reduction in Liability for information on our Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme)

DHPs can provide financial support if you are facing rent shortfalls that aren't fully covered by your usual Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element, and are caused by:

• the benefit cap, which limits the total amount of benefits a household can receive
• the removal of the spare room subsidy (also known as bedroom tax), which reduces housing support for those deemed to have extra bedrooms in social housing
• Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates being lower than the actual rent charged in the private sector

DHPs may be considered for rent in advance or a rent deposit for a property that you are yet to move into if you are already entitled to Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit at your current home in Solihull.

We may take other circumstances into consideration when making our decision. For example, we will consider if:

• the property is affordable
• you have a valid reason to move
• the deposit or rent in advance is reasonable

How to get support

If you need help finding and securing private rented accommodation before applying for a DHP, please contact Solihull Community Housing on 0121 717 1515. 

They can suggest various schemes which offer support and refer you for DHP assistance if you're moving into a private rented property. 

You can also:

• contact the Financial Inclusion Team on 0121 704 6202 for advice or to discuss your circumstances before applying
• refer to our FAQs page

DHP can be used to help cover rent arrears from a current or former tenancy if certain conditions are met. 

While DHPs are typically intended to support current housing costs, we can award a DHP for previous rent arrears if it would prevent homelessness or support a household to secure or maintain stable accommodation.

For example, if you have moved into a new property but are unable to sustain the tenancy due to unresolved arrears from a previous address, a DHP may be considered to clear those debts. This is especially the case if the arrears were accrued during a period of financial hardship and you are now in a more stable position. 

Each case is assessed individually, and the decision will depend on your circumstances, the reasons for the arrears, and the potential impact on your housing situation.