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Harlow Town StationTower of St Marys Churchgate StreetAbercrombie Way UnderpassThe Advice CentreOccassio HouseGateway Houses

What are Discretionary Housing Payments?

If you need extra help with housing costs or Council Tax, Discretionary Housing Payments may be available to you.  Discretionary Housing Payments are payments that can be made, along with any Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit already in payment.

 

We have a limited annual Discretionary Housing Payment budget, which is allocated quarterly.  This application form will help us to decide if an award can be made to you.  Please note that not all applications will be successful as funds for Discretionary Housing Payments are limited and normally used in full before the quarter expires.  To ensure consistency we will only consider information included on the form and any current supporting evidence supplied, no assumptions can be made.  Each claim made is unique they are not continuations therefore if another claim is made all information is required once more, we cannot refer to previous claims.  You can follow this link to view the Harlow DHP award guidance in more detail.

What are Housing Costs?

Housing costs are in essence rent and communal service charges. A number of items are excluded:

 

  • Parts of rent not covered by benefit, such as charges for fuel, hot water or meals
  • Charges for individual water and sewerage
  • Increases in rent due to rent arrears
  • Any short fall between Second Adult Rebate and Council Tax liability
  • Benefit that has been suspended because you have failed to supply the information necessary for your claim
  • Any reduction in Benefit as a result of non-attendance at a work-focused interview
  • Any reduction or loss of Benefit due to Job Seeker’s Allowance employment sanction
  • Any reduction in Benefit due to Benefit Direction or failure to comply with Child Support Agency in arranging maintenance
  • Any reduction in Benefit due to recovery of an overpayment, social fund loan or direct payments
  • This list does not cover all exclusions

Who can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment?

To be eligible for a payment, you must be receiving Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Rebate, and you must then satisfy us that you require further help with your housing costs and or Council Tax liability.

If you are already on full benefit you will not be able to get a Discretionary Housing Payment.

If you do not get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit you cannot apply for Discretionary Housing Payments.  If you only get Housing Benefit and not Council Tax Benefit, you will not be able to get help with your Council Tax. If you only get Council Tax Benefit and not Housing Benefit, you will not be able to get help with your rent costs.

How can I apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment?

Follow the link to access a printable Discretionary Housing Payment application form, you should print it and complete and return the form immediately, along with any recent supporting evidence you may have.  The more supporting evidence supplied, the better your chance of qualifying for an award.

If a previous claim was refused as the budget had expired and you are now re applying please submit this form as per the refusal notification.

If you are acting on another’s behalf, please make this clear on the form.

Application forms can also be obtained from Contact Harlow in the Civic Centre, or by phoning the Revenues and Benefits Department on (01279) 446633, or Emailing hdc.benefits@harlow.gov.uk

How will it be paid?

Payment will either be made with you Housing Benefit or credited to your Council Tax account.  Awards will normally start from the Monday following the receipt of your application.

Awards can only make up to the end of the financial year (31st of March). If you remain in hardship you should reclaim two weeks before your award runs out.

Further Help and advice.

To access a National printable leaflet or to obtain this information in other languages, please follow the links.  There is also an audio version on-line. 

 

You can follow this link if you wish to return to the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit index page or you can use the links on the top and on the left hand side of this page.