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Discretionary Housing Payments for Tenancy Deposit or Rent in Advance
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Nik1963
Posts: 4 Newbie
I'm trying to obtain advice/information regarding the use of Discretionary Housing Payments for a tenancy deposit or rent in advance. The DWP guidance and good practice docment states that this is possible however I can find know working examples/cases that describe in more details how claimants have achieved this.
There was a thread - Housing Benefit Help with Bond? from April 2008 but I've been advised to start a new thread.
Has anyone had experience/success in applying for DHP for this purpose. From experiene working with Housing Benefit staff who administer DHP appear to be not fully aware of the guidance and breadth of utilising DHP to help those with financial housing needs - issues such as ability to backdate and use of DHP for council tax are typical examples.
The Guidance and Good Practice document states:
There was a thread - Housing Benefit Help with Bond? from April 2008 but I've been advised to start a new thread.
Has anyone had experience/success in applying for DHP for this purpose. From experiene working with Housing Benefit staff who administer DHP appear to be not fully aware of the guidance and breadth of utilising DHP to help those with financial housing needs - issues such as ability to backdate and use of DHP for council tax are typical examples.
The Guidance and Good Practice document states:
Rent deposits and rent in advance
360 You can make DHPs for a rent deposit or rent in advance schemes for a property that the claimant is yet to move into if they are already entitled to HB for their present home.
361 The regulations are wide enough to permit this on the basis of a claimant’s entitlement to HB at their current home. The regulations do not say that the housing costs to which the DHP relates have to be housing costs relating to the property for which HB has been awarded. It is the limitation on the level of a DHP that relates to the property in respect of which HB has been awarded. See The level of the DHP earlier in this section.
361 The regulations are wide enough to permit this on the basis of a claimant’s entitlement to HB at their current home. The regulations do not say that the housing costs to which the DHP relates have to be housing costs relating to the property for which HB has been awarded. It is the limitation on the level of a DHP that relates to the property in respect of which HB has been awarded. See The level of the DHP earlier in this section.
Example
A person in property A is receiving HB. They apply for a DHP to cover rent in advance and deposit in respect of property B which they hope to move into.
The regulations will permit a DHP in relation to property B but the level of the DHP is limited by the HB award in respect of property A.
One current client who would be greatly assited by this is in B&B with HB covering over £170 pw (full eligible rent) - not for long as homeless team are pulling plug, insisting person move-out within week. Deposit or rent in advance is likely to be in region of £400.
As I read the guidance - As maximum eligible HB is being paid on current accommodation there appears no scope to allow for further money through DHP. Or is there?
The regulations will permit a DHP in relation to property B but the level of the DHP is limited by the HB award in respect of property A.
One current client who would be greatly assited by this is in B&B with HB covering over £170 pw (full eligible rent) - not for long as homeless team are pulling plug, insisting person move-out within week. Deposit or rent in advance is likely to be in region of £400.
As I read the guidance - As maximum eligible HB is being paid on current accommodation there appears no scope to allow for further money through DHP. Or is there?
0
Comments
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have you approached the local council Bond Board for the deposit ?0
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Have already approached local scheme. Time is limited to rehouse client and schemes referral to decision process will take a number of weeks. Using DHP provides another option which could be quicker.0
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