Discretionary Housing Payment decisions

925dancer

Does anyone know if there are structured timescale guidelines for decisions?

I applied a good month ago and will call to follow up again this week but when I spoke to someone a couple of weeks ago they said it could take up to 12 weeks!

Now if I am not awarded a DHP I have to make some serious decisions (I am under 35 in a one bed, fixed term tenancy, unexpectedly lost my job and the shortfall is massive). I can't really afford to move but clearly if the shortfall isn't covered even in the short term I can't afford to stay.

I'm applying for jobs like a woman possessed but the stress of not knowing if I can pay my rent next month is becoming a little overwhelming and I just want to know if there's anything I can quote to the council more concrete than "reasonable time".

daimonde

there is no timescale im aware of, had a very quick look at the DHP guide here - https://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dhpguide.pdf and couldnt see anything mentioned.

12weeks doesnt sound unrealistic for my LA, not particularly good service in my opinion but we do have some dating back to Jan / Feb time.

id advise getting a 3rd party involved, CAB, local councillor, MP etc, it shouldnt, but id expect that kinda of action would speed things up a little.

daimonde

actually, have you applied for a DHP cos of a change to your circumstances on an existing claim for HB ?
or have you just made a new claim for HB & left with a this shortfall ?

925dancer

I guess what makes it all the more frustrating is that they dealt with my housing benefit claim within a week or two and were really proactive with that claim and have also been really on the ball when a clerical error with my JSA led to payments being suspended briefly.

It seems DHP's are just low on the priority list and they probably have more than ever to assess with the new legislation leaving a lot of people in a similar situation to me.

Edit: New claim with a shortfall.

daimonde

have you previously applied for HB within the last 12months ?

just wondering if this sounds like this may apply to you, have a look see it if makes sense....

Rent affordable when tenancy started

4.1730 If you are satisfied that the claimant, could have afforded the rent when the tenancy was taken up, and the claimant had no HB entitlement in the 52 weeks before the claim, the maximum rent restriction does not apply during the first 13 weeks of the HB award. See The maximum rent earlier in this chapter for more information.