What is a discretionary housing payment?
If you receive Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax benefit you can request a Discretionary Housing Payment. From 2 July 2001 a new scheme has been introduced to provide additional financial assistance with the payments of your Council Tax or Rent. You cannot get additional help if you are already receiving full benefit. Payments are not part of your Housing benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit. They are a stand-alone payment made by the authority. The authority has a limited amount of money from which to make payments.
