A Discretionary Housing Payment is a payment your Local Authority (in Manchester - Manchester City Council) might make to help you pay:
- Part of your rent if Housing Benefit is not covering all of it, or
- Part of your Council Tax if Council Tax Benefit is not covering all of it.
It is a discretionary scheme only. This means you do not have a right to a payment. It is up to your Local Authority to decide whether to give you a Discretionary Housing Payment.
How do I claim a Discretionary Housing Payment?
If you live in Manchester and want to claim a Discretionary Housing Payment you should write a letter to the Benefits Section. In your letter you should say why you need a Discretionary Housing Payment, giving an explanation of any special circumstances you have.
For example:
- Reasons why you need to remain living in your current property rather than moving (e.g. if you have family close by, special needs education, if you have fled violence from a previous home, if the property is specially adapted for disabled need, ties to employment etc).
- If you are in rent arrears, how much the arrears are and whether your landlord would allow you to remain in the property rather than take action to evict you, if the Discretionary Housing Payment is paid
- If you have health problems (physical and mental) which would make it more difficult for you to move (you may need to obtain medical evidence from your GP to confirm that you have health problems).
- If you have health problems and they bring extra financial burdens which affect your ability to pay the rent (for example special diets)
- If your Housing Benefit has been reduced because your home is considered too large for your family size, but you need the extra room for another purpose (e.g. having children from a former relationship to stay, or having a carer stay during periods of illness).
The address to write to is:
Discretionary Housing Payments
Appeals Section
PO Box 162
Manchester
M15 5QP
Make sure you include in your letter your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit claim reference. You can find this number on any letters from the Benefits Unit.
If have applied for a Discretionary Housing Payment, and your application has not been successful, you can ask for someone to look at the decision again.
Find out more about Discretionary Housing Payments (external website) from Manchester City Council.
Need more help? Live in Manchester? Send us an email
Information Provider:
Manchester Advice
This information is for guidance only and is not an authoritative statement on the law. Please read our Terms and Conditions.
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