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Housing and Council Tax Benefit are awarded according to the circumstances and income of the household concerned, and the size of accommodation needed.
That level of help is usually sufficient to give most households the assistance they need. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and on occasions, because of very specific circumstance, additional help is needed.
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) are paid where someone needs that extra help. These payments are not Housing or Council Tax Benefit, but you must be in receipt of one or both of these benefits to be able to claim. To be fair to everybody, the Council has developed a policy to guide the decisions we have to make when we consider an application. Read the Policy (PDF, 38kb)
The amount of the DHP award depends on your individual circumstances, and you must demonstrate that you are suffering from financial hardship due to the shortfall in your benefits.
Awards are made to:
- Prevent Poverty
- Give people a breathing space to find cheaper accommodation
- Prevent loss of their home, simply because of a very specific short term problem, which in normal circumstances would not arise.
To make an award we need to know about:
- Why you cannot afford to pay the Rent and Council Tax due.
- What your household expenses are.
- Why you need to live in a particular property or location.
- What action you have taken or intend to take to find suitable alternative accommodation.
How do I apply for a DHP?
To apply for a DHP you will need to complete a Discretionary Housing Payment Form (pdf 14kb) and a Discretionary Housing Payment Means Enquiry - (pdf, 10kb). These forms will ask for a breakdown of your weekly expenditure and reasons why you are requesting additional financial help.
Please return the form to: Benefit Section, Babergh District Council, Corks Lane, Hadleigh, Suffolk IP7 6SJ.
What happens next?
Once your claim has been assessed, you will be informed of the decision in writing.
Getting It Right First Time
If you have any problems or queries completing the application form or if you need further advice please call one of our advisers on 01473 825798. |