Discretionary Housing Payments

Uttlesford District Council is given a sum of money each year to help people who are in receipt of Housing Benefit or the Housing Element of Universal Credit and appear to require further financial assistance in order to meet housing costs.

The amount of Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) funding available each year is extremely limited and once it has all been allocated no further awards can be made. Although Uttlesford District Council carefully considers all applications, it may not be possible to award any or all of the help that an applicant may like.

Examples of the factors to be taken in to consideration are listed below. However, this list is not exhaustive.

Age and Disability.
Late stages of pregnancy
Children approaching GCSE and A Level exams.
Medical treatment that cannot be easily obtained elsewhere.
Social Services Involvement
Ability to retain existing employment.
A reasonable ability to be able to move to cheaper, alternative accommodation

How much is awarded and the period of any award will depend entirely on the individual circumstances. Each case is looked at separately and assessed on its own merits.

All DHP awards end on the 31 March each year at the latest. If a person wishes to be considered for any further payments a new application would need to be made.

How to apply

An application for DHP will normally only be accepted in writing using the Uttlesford District Council Discretionary Housing Payment Application form and should be accompanied by evidence in support of the claim. Forms can be obtained by request from the Benefits Team (see contact details at the foot of this page) or you can download and print a Word version of the form from the link below, returning your completed form to:

Uttlesford District Council, Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4ER.

► Discretionary Housing Payment application form (Word doc) [82KB]

Alternatively, you can download an editable pdf of the application form. Complete the form, save your responses and email your saved version to benefits@uttlesford.gov.uk.