Including Housing Payments (DHP) Awards
Housing Payments (DHP) for Rent in Advance and/or Rent Deposits
Housing Payments (DHP) for customers receiving Universal Credit
Housing Payments (DHP) for customers receiving Housing Benefit
2026/2027
Summary
The Crisis and Resilience Fund is an outcomes-based approach and comes into force from April 2026.
The LA is expected to deliver the approach to achieve the following aims:-
• Reduced experiences of material deprivation
• Reduced need for emergency food parcels
• Increased access to appropriate and quality advice services
• Increased savings
• reduction in priority debt
• maximisation of individuals income
• decreased need for Crisis Payments and Housing Payments
The Department for Work and Pensions are adopting a phased approach for Housing Payments within the CRF, this includes the DHP budget for 2026/27.
This policy document sets out the LA’s DHP policy for the year 2026/27.
Further policies will be required to encompass the introduction of the CRF approach.
Housing Payments (DHP)
DHP, DHP/UC, A customer does not have a statutory right to an award.
• The amount of Housing Payments (DHP) that can be paid by an Authority in any financial year, is.
Cash-limited by the Secretary of State
• Housing Payments (DHP) is a separate scheme to that of the Statutory Housing Benefit Scheme and or the Local Council Tax Support Scheme, Council Tax Reduction Scheme.
• HB, UC or LCTS/CTR should be in payment.
• Housing Payments (DHP) will only be awarded to customers who receive Housing Benefit and/or the Housing Element within Universal Credit
• Universal Credit has replaced the payment of Housing Costs with cases being migrated onto Universal Credit if they are of working age.
• Housing Payments (DHP) will be considered where the criteria of financial hardship within the remit of the DHP policy are met.
• Housing Payments (DHP) can be paid for Rent Deposit and/or Rent in Advance and if applicable to help customer retain or secure accommodation.
Housing Payments (DHP) Policy April 2026
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to specify how the scheme will be operated by the Council and to indicate the factors that will be considered when deciding if a DHP should be made. The aim is to treat all claimants equally when administering the scheme, to assist where the claimants can provide evidence that DHP payments would rectify or help in their financial situation, in some cases to secure accommodation and to assist in the prevention of eviction or increasing rent debt or council tax debt.
Claiming Housing Payments –(DHP, DHP(UC)
A claim should be made via an on-line application form approved and available on the Castle Point Borough Council’s website.
For the claim to proceed the applicant must submit the form electronically and provide all evidence requested on the application form or requested by letter or e-mail.
Applications for a Housing Payments (DHP) should normally be made either by the applicant or the applicant’s partner.
Applications for Housing Payments (DHP) can be made by third parties supporting the applicant, after having received written authorisation from the applicant where applicable.
The Council may request any reasonable evidence in support of an application. The Council may make such requests in writing, verbally or electronically.
The customer should provide the evidence where possible within ten working days and not longer than one calendar month from the date of request. Evidence and information provided with the Housing Benefit application and /or the Local Council Tax Support, Council Tax Reduction application may be used.
When a customer makes a DHP application and is in receipt of Universal Credit, evidence of the Universal Credit award should be provided by the customer, showing the award of the Housing Element.
If the customer does not provide the required evidence the application will be declined.
The Council may be required to verify any information or evidence provided by the claimant(s) by contacting third parties, other organisations.
Decision Process
Each case will be considered by the Benefit & Compliance Manager. In some cases, the Benefit Manager will assign a Team Leader to undertake the Housing Payments (DHP) claim.
Period of award
The Council will decide the length of time for which a DHP/EHF will be awarded if a payment can be made under this scheme.
The Council has the discretion to award a Housing Payments (DHP) for such a period that the claim warrants. This will dependant on the circumstances of each case.
The Council will consider any reasonable request for backdating an award of DHP. All such requests should be in writing or e-mail and clearly give the reasons why the application was not made at an earlier time. The Council reserves its discretion not to make backdated awards of DHP.
Eligible Costs for an Award of Housing Payments (DHP)
The award of a Housing Payments (DHP) will be the exception rather than the norm. The Council will consider whether to award a Housing Payments (DHP) and the amount of any such award considering the Discretionary Housing Payment “Good Practice Guide”, where the definition of eligible housing costs for Housing Payments (DHP) are listed as the following:-
• Rent in advance.
• Rent Deposits
• Rent
• Homeless Prevention
• Other lump sum costs such as removal costs
o Estimates for removal costs, receipts if paid.
When considering a Housing Payments (DHP) application in relation to the above, the council will need to establish the reason for the request, the particulars of the previous tenancy, evidence of the search for a new property linked to possible involvement of Housing Departments of our local authority and other local authorities.
If the Housing Payments (DHP) Claim is being requested for Rent in Advance and/or Rent Deposit and is made by the Council’s Housing Advice Team in partnership with the applicant, landlord or agent, a Housing Payments (DHP) Notice of Interest or e-mail should be completed and given to the Benefit and Compliance Manager giving full details of the request, the amount required and to whom it should be paid.
The Housing Payments (DHP) DHP or DHP(UC) Decision
The liability of the customer to pay rent.
Housing Payments (DHP) payments cannot be made for ineligible services
Whether a person’s maximum Housing Benefit has been restricted by the Local Housing Allowance Rate, Rent Officer of the Rent Service, or the Council; and if so:
• The amount of the restriction.
• The reason for the restriction.
• The length of time that the restriction has been imposed.
In addition to the Rent Officers decision consideration is given to the market value of rents in the borough. If the authority feel the Rent Officers decision is low, a re – determination may be requested by the customer.
Before taking on the tenancy was the customer aware of the Local Housing Allowance rental values.
Steps taken by the claimant to reduce their rental liability.
Where the Housing Benefit has been determined using the Local Housing Allowance regulations the authority should consider the number of bedrooms allocated to the claimant under LHA rules, linked to the relevant rental value. The need for additional bedrooms should be considered and the top up between the rent charged and the LHA rate considered.
Where the Housing Benefit or Housing Element (UC) payment has been reduced due to “Welfare Reform Changes”, such as Benefit Cap and Under Occupied evidence should be obtained to show this has contributed to financial hardship, and other housing and health issues.
As above consideration should be given to:
The steps taken by the claimant to request the landlord/agent to reduce the rent charged.
The length of tenancy and the availability of alternative rental accommodation the area.
The circumstances surrounding the application, considering the definition of housing costs.
The financial and social health/medical circumstances of the applicant, their partner and any dependants and any other occupants of the applicant’s home.
The income and “essential” expenditure of the applicant, their partner and any dependants or other occupants of the applicant’s home; considering any award of Universal Credit.
Housing Payment (DHP UC)-
Where a customer is in receipt of Universal Credit, the council will need to be aware of the LHA definition used by the DWP when awarding the “Housing Element” within the UC award. This would need to be compared to the actual market rent charged.
The authority will need to determine if the UC award should include the “Housing Element”. (Considering the tenancy provision)
Any savings or capital that might be held by the applicant or their family or could be made available to the applicant or their family.
Any assets that may be realised.
The availability and any steps taken by the claimant(s) to obtain extra income or to reduce expenditure of the applicant or their family.
The level of indebtedness of the applicant(s) and their family.
If there has been a previous award of DHP, the authority will need to identify the number, length and dates of those awards, and what action the applicant has taken to reduce the need for award.
There will be a need to establish the reasons for moving from previous address, considering possible Housing Payments (DHP) claims for rent in advance and rent deposits.
(If the customer has children the following questions may help)
Where do the children attend School – Do they have to travel?
Are there particular reasons for attending their School i.e., religious etc.?
Do they receive any help from the father/mother of the children?
E.g., help with food, clothing, or pocket money for children.
To help make a decision or collect appropriate information in some cases a telephone interview may be required.
Housing Payments (DHP) Criteria for Applications - Rent in Advance and/or Rent Deposit (RIA/DEP)
Housing Payments (DHP) for Rent in Advance and/or Rent Deposit is a non-returnable award.
However, any Rent Deposit returned under the normal Rent Deposit rules should be returned to the Local Authority if it paid such a deposit.
Apart from the normal evidence required to determine an application for Housing Payments (DHP) , the following additional criteria and information is required:-
• To qualify for this type of Housing Payments (DHP) , the customer will be required to be in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit in the borough of Castle Point.
• Will need to provide evidence that they have applied for assistance from the DWP, Housing Advice for the RIA/DEP funding, the customer verbally confirming they have made such a claim will be accepted.
• Will need to provide evidence that family and friends cannot assist with this funding in full or in part, again the customer saying friends and family cannot assist will not be acceptable, a written statement may be required from the customer of the names of family and friends they have requested assistance from, including address and contact e-mails and telephone numbers.
• Provide reasons and evidence why the customer needs to move:-
o Proof of eviction action
o Threat of domestic violence
o Health condition
o Recommendation from other agencies
• Social Services
• Doctor
• Police
• Local Authority
• Charity
• If the customer has already received a DHP for RIA/DEP within the last 52 weeks, the application may be declined.
• A letter or e-mail from the potential landlord or agent ,confirming the amount of assistance required to secure the accommodation, together with-
o Signed Tenancy agreement.
o Moving Date
o BACS payment details for landlord/agent
A PAYMENT OF Housing Payment (DHP) IS NOT GUARANTEED
The Effect of an Award
-
In making any award consideration will be given to achieving the following:
-
Encouraging / sustaining a return to work
- Safeguarding the home, preventing homelessness
- Helping customers to help themselves.
- Keeping families together and the vulnerable in the community
Help during temporary crises or events.
Make direct payments if it will help secure continuation of the tenancy.
Making direct payments where arrears or non-payments have occurred or may occur in the future.
The impact any award of Housing Payments (DHP) will have on the Council’s budgets and its ability to make further awards of Housing Payments (DHP) to others within the financial year.
The impact the non-award of a Housing Payments (DHP) will have on the applicant and his/her potential tenancy/tenancy or Council Tax Account.
If the requested Housing Payments (DHP) award is deemed to be excessive, the claimant may be asked to attend a telephone interview to discuss financial options, housing options and support.
Changes of Circumstances
Customers in receipt of DHP who as part of the qualifying criteria are in receipt of Housing Benefit or in receipt of Universal Credit remain under an obligation to inform the council of
changes in their circumstances that might affect their claim for HB/UC and the Housing Payments (DHP) and/or DHP (UC) linked to that award.
Customers receiving Housing Payments (DHP/UC) due the qualifying criteria of being in receipt of Universal Credit, also have obligation to inform the council of changes in their circumstances.
The Council’s policy is that a change in the applicant’s circumstances will require the level of their DHP to be reviewed.
For the Housing Payments (DHP) and /or DHP (UC) to continue following a change in circumstances, the applicant needs to retain entitlement to Housing Benefit and/or Universal Credit (housing element).
Important Information
The amount of money available to the Council to spend on the scheme is set within cash limits specified by the Secretary of State at the start of each financial year.
The Council should consider expenditure and estimated committed expenditure.
“The award of Housing Payments (DHP) at one time does not guarantee that a further award will be made later even if the claimant’ circumstances remain the same. The Council cannot fetter its discretion in making one decision on a claim with regard to a later claim by the same claimant(s)”.
The amount of any DHP award will be decided by the Council taking into account the above matters and limited to the statutory limits imposed.
Housing Payments (DHP) Review/Monitoring
The award is granted for a fixed period and as such is not intended as a long-term solution to a customer’s financial, debt and housing problems.
The DWP require the authority to return information twice a year, setting out the breakdown of the awards of Housing Payments (DHP) this will include:-
• Tenure Type
• Reason for the award
• Relation to Welfare Reform Changes
• Value of award linked to reasons.
• Total payment of Housing Payments (DHP)
Reviews of Housing Payments (DHP) awards to establish in addition to the DWP recorded information the following may be used:-
• Linked to Universal Credit customers.
• Linked to locality.
• Rent Levels
• Migration from authority to authority due to welfare reform changes
• Monthly Housing Payments (DHP) expenditure
Method of Payment
The authority will decide to whom to make payment of the Housing Payments (DHP) (UC) based upon the circumstances of each case. This could include:
• The applicant.
• Their partner.
• An appointee.
• Their landlord (or an agent of the landlord); or
• Any third party to whom it might be appropriate to make payment.
We will pay any award by the most appropriate means available in each case. This could include payment:
• With Housing Benefit.
• As a specific Housing Payments (DHP) (UC) award via BACS
• By crediting the applicant’s rent account.
The award will be paid along with the award of Housing Benefit.
The award will be paid via BACS to the agreed payee for customers who are in receipt of U/C.
For example, if the customer is paid Housing Benefit in arrears, any award will be paid at the same frequency.
Any award for rent in advance or rent deposit where there is not be any future housing benefit in payment will be paid as a lump sum.
Notification
The authority will inform applicants of the outcome of the application within 5 days of deciding on the claim. The authority will notify:
• Those whose application is unsuccessful.
• The reasons why we have decided not to make an award
• We may suggest that the claimant contacts organisations for help, advice and support.
• Those whose application is successful.
• The weekly amount of Housing Payments (DHP) awarded.
• The period of the award.
• How, when and to whom the award will be paid.
Appeal Rights
Housing Payments (DHP)) are not payments of Housing Benefit, Universal Credit and are therefore not subject to the statutory benefits appeals mechanism where appeals are decided by the Appeals Service which is an independent statutory body. Appeals will therefore be decided by the Council.
We will operate the following policy for dealing with appeals regarding the award.
An applicant (or their appointee or agent) who wants an explanation of a Housing Payments (DHP) decision may request one in writing within one calendar month of notification of the award.
An applicant (or their appointee or agent) who disagrees with a award decision may dispute the decision.
Any such dispute may be made in writing or electronically but must be made within one calendar month of the written decision being issued to the applicant.
Any review should be looked at by “Appeal Officer / Benefit Team Leader”; this may mean that more information may be needed from a claimant. The claimant may be asked to attend a telephone interview.
A written notice of the review decision must be sent to the claimant.
If following an internal review of a decision, the “Appeal Officer/Benefit Team Leader” decide that the original decision should not be revised, there is no further appeal. If the customer has a complaint about the way that the Council has acted with their application however, they will be advised of the corporate complaint’s procedure, including the Local Government Ombudsman.
Overpayments
The Council will seek to recover any award found to be overpaid. We will seek recovery from the applicant and/or their partner, regardless of how and to whom the award was paid. We will do this by invoicing the claimant and/or partner.
A decision that a Housing Payments (DHP) is overpaid will be notified by decision letter. An appeal may be made against the decision.
The Council will allow an appeal against a decision that an overpayment of the award has been made. These appeals will be allowed on the following grounds only:
• The calculation of the overpayment.
• That the overpayment should not be recoverable as it was caused by Council error.
Fraud
The Council is committed to the fight against fraud in all its forms. Any applicant who tries to fraudulently claim a Housing Payments (DHP) by falsely declaring their circumstances, providing a false statement or evidence in support of their application, will have committed an offence.
N D Bale
Benefit and Compliance Manager
2026/27