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DHP Question
- Lilacrose
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5 hours 28 minutes ago #313193 by Lilacrose
DHP Question was created by Lilacrose
DHP Question
Hello,
This is my first post so I hope I do this right!
I applied for DHP to cover the shortfall between HB and rent, caused by the bedroom tax. The council has awarded and paid 6 months of the shortfall, covering March to August’26. The councils letter advised that this payment is to give me time to find a new one-bedroom property. My home is shared ownership. Due to my condition, I am not well enough to search for or change properties in the foreseeable future. I explained in my application that I need my family and community support that I receive.
Questions:
• Is my receipt of this payment conditional as acceptance that I will move?
• As I was eligible for UC and HB from Jan’25 when the bedroom tax deduction commenced, can the DHP be backdated to that date? Longer than 6 months? How do I know if the reason the award is limited to 6 months is due to funds?
(It seems that, if an applicant who was well enough to apply for this benefit in Jan’25 or had someone who could apply on their behalf would have received payment from that time onwards. Therefore, if my condition is the reason for my need to claim and served as a barrier to claiming, should I not be treated the same as the person who was well enough to claim or who had assistance and the DHP should therefore be backdated as opposed to the ‘future’ payment?
• I am concerned that if I die within these 6 months this will become a debt which will need to be repaid due to their payment conditionality. Whereas, as I met the criteria from Jan’25, if they awarded if to cover the previous 6 months deficit (if six months is their limitation due to say funding) it would cover 6 months of the debt accrued caused by the shortfall.
• Do I have grounds to appeal this to be backdated and perhaps for a longer award period?
(I am aware that if I request a review of this decision, there is the risk that the award may be reviewed and reduced.)
I have I think a week left to reply.
I hope that makes sense and thank you for your time.
Best wishes,
Hello,
This is my first post so I hope I do this right!
I applied for DHP to cover the shortfall between HB and rent, caused by the bedroom tax. The council has awarded and paid 6 months of the shortfall, covering March to August’26. The councils letter advised that this payment is to give me time to find a new one-bedroom property. My home is shared ownership. Due to my condition, I am not well enough to search for or change properties in the foreseeable future. I explained in my application that I need my family and community support that I receive.
Questions:
• Is my receipt of this payment conditional as acceptance that I will move?
• As I was eligible for UC and HB from Jan’25 when the bedroom tax deduction commenced, can the DHP be backdated to that date? Longer than 6 months? How do I know if the reason the award is limited to 6 months is due to funds?
(It seems that, if an applicant who was well enough to apply for this benefit in Jan’25 or had someone who could apply on their behalf would have received payment from that time onwards. Therefore, if my condition is the reason for my need to claim and served as a barrier to claiming, should I not be treated the same as the person who was well enough to claim or who had assistance and the DHP should therefore be backdated as opposed to the ‘future’ payment?
• I am concerned that if I die within these 6 months this will become a debt which will need to be repaid due to their payment conditionality. Whereas, as I met the criteria from Jan’25, if they awarded if to cover the previous 6 months deficit (if six months is their limitation due to say funding) it would cover 6 months of the debt accrued caused by the shortfall.
• Do I have grounds to appeal this to be backdated and perhaps for a longer award period?
(I am aware that if I request a review of this decision, there is the risk that the award may be reviewed and reduced.)
I have I think a week left to reply.
I hope that makes sense and thank you for your time.
Best wishes,
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- David
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3 hours 55 minutes ago #313196 by David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by David on topic DHP Question
Hi Lilacrose
A DHP is a Local Authority Discretionary Housing Payment which is paid by your local Council and as such has only a tenuous connection to the advice offered by BenefitsandWork.
However you should be able to find some answers in the official DHP guidance:-
"Payment duration and backdating
33. DHPs may be paid in multiple instalments. The duration of the DHP is determined by the LA. The award period and any end date should be clearly communicated to the applicant for ongoing awards. For one-off costs (such as, deposit or rent in advance), specifying a period is not required.
34. LAs have the discretion to backdate DHPs. When deciding whether to backdate, each application should be considered on its own merits. The DHP can only be considered for a period where the linked HB or relevant award of UC is payable."
www.gov.uk/government/publications/discr...ents-guidance-manual
David
A DHP is a Local Authority Discretionary Housing Payment which is paid by your local Council and as such has only a tenuous connection to the advice offered by BenefitsandWork.
However you should be able to find some answers in the official DHP guidance:-
"Payment duration and backdating
33. DHPs may be paid in multiple instalments. The duration of the DHP is determined by the LA. The award period and any end date should be clearly communicated to the applicant for ongoing awards. For one-off costs (such as, deposit or rent in advance), specifying a period is not required.
34. LAs have the discretion to backdate DHPs. When deciding whether to backdate, each application should be considered on its own merits. The DHP can only be considered for a period where the linked HB or relevant award of UC is payable."
www.gov.uk/government/publications/discr...ents-guidance-manual
David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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