Is there an equivalent to Discretionary Housing Payment under UC?

ChrisJJ

Am currently on income based ESA and Housing Benefit. I receive an ongoing Discretionary Housing Payment due to having an extra room required for a carer (I receive PIP enhanced rate for both components).

As it looks like I'll be forced to move to UC shortly, I was wondering if the DHP exists under UC? If not, I'll have to make up the shortfall in rent.

This Discretionary payment has been ongoing for quite some time now, and I am never asked to reapply.

Thank you

HillStreetBlues

ChrisJJ said:

Am currently on income based ESA and Housing Benefit. I receive an ongoing Discretionary Housing Payment due to having an extra room required for a carer (I receive PIP enhanced rate for both components).

As it looks like I'll be forced to move to UC shortly, I was wondering if the DHP exists under UC? If not, I'll have to make up the shortfall in rent.

This Discretionary payment has been ongoing for quite some time now, and I am never asked to reapply.

Thank you

It's the same under HB or UC (Housing Element) on both benefits a person can have a DHP

ChrisJJ

Thank you, that's useful to know.

huckster

Under UC you have to apply for extra bedroom entitlement and a decision maker will decide if you are entitled. It won't be automatic, just because you had a previous decision under Council Housing Benefits.

HillStreetBlues

huckster said:

Under UC you have to apply for extra bedroom entitlement and a decision maker will decide if you are entitled. It won't be automatic, just because you had a previous decision under Council Housing Benefits.

A DHP is separate to UC or HB, it's paid because a person isn't entitled to payment under UC or HB.
So the previous  decision would be that the OP isn't entitled to an extra bedroom cost (if so  would be paid under HB) but the LA has decided to pay it via DHP.
If the OP know the UC won't paid the extra bedroom entitlement then no point trying to claim.

huckster

But they might not need DHP, as with enhanced PIP, they can apply for extra bedroom under UC, for a carer to stay overnight.

The Council won't continue with DHP until a decision has been made about Housing entitlement under new UC claim.

poppy12345

ChrisJJ said:

Am currently on income based ESA and Housing Benefit. I receive an ongoing Discretionary Housing Payment due to having an extra room required for a carer (I receive PIP enhanced rate for both components).

As it looks like I'll be forced to move to UC shortly, I was wondering if the DHP exists under UC? If not, I'll have to make up the shortfall in rent.

This Discretionary payment has been ongoing for quite some time now, and I am never asked to reapply.

Thank you

Are you 100% sure it's a DHP and not just an extra bedroom entitlement for HB? Seems odd to have a DHP for this. 

huckster said:

But they might not need DHP, as with enhanced PIP, they can apply for extra bedroom under UC, for a carer to stay overnight.

You can have an extra bedroom for a carer when claiming housing benefit too.