Housing Benefit - Canterbury City Council

Housing Benefit
Application for a
Discretionary Housing
Payment for rent deposit
or rent in advance
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) may be awarded to help meet rent in advance or rent deposits.
There are limited funds of DHP available so this type of award will only be made to those most in need.
You should only apply for a DHP to help with rent in advance or a rent deposit once you have found a
property and the landlord or agent agrees that you can rent it.
We can only give DHPs to people receiving Housing Benefit. If you are not currently receiving Housing
Benefit you must complete a Housing Benefit application form and provide the evidence needed to
support your application. Without this we will not be able to consider your DHP request.
If you currently receive Housing Benefit for the place you live you must complete a change of address
form. Without this we will not be able to award you a DHP.
You should provide a letter from the new landlord detailing the address of the property, accommodation
details, amount of rent due, amount of rent in advance required and the amount of the deposit. DHPs for
rent in advance or rent deposit are normally paid direct to the new landlord.
The amount of Housing Benefit you can receive is limited to the Local Housing Allowance rate
appropriate to the size of your household. If your rent is more than the LHA it is less likely you will be
awarded a DHP – you should explain in the “other information” box how you intend to meet your rent
liability in the future or if there are any special circumstances relevant to your application.
First name:
Last name:
Daytime phone number:
E-mail address:
Current address:
Benefit reference
number:
Address of the property you intend to move to:
Postcode:
Postcode:
Date you intend to
move in:
/ /

Why do you need to move home
Have you received assistance from the Housing Options Team Yes No
If ‘Yes’, please give the name of your Housing Officer:
Do you want a DHP for rent in advance Yes No
If ‘Yes’, how much is the rent in advance
Do you want a DHP for the deposit Yes No
If ‘Yes’, how much is the deposit
Please give the full name of your new landlord or agent. If it is an agent please give the name of the
person dealing with your new tenancy.
How is the deposit going to be protected (By law your deposit must be secured in deposit protection
scheme – please ask your new landlord what scheme they are going to use.)
Please give us your landlord or agent’s bank account details
Account name:
Sort Code:
Account number:

Why is your property suitable for you and your family
For example, has it been adapted if you have a disability, or has ground floor accommodation
Have you or a family member any health problems, disabilities or special dietary needs
Please send any supporting evidence when you return this form, for example Medical certificates.
If you have any additional expenses due to health reasons, please tell us here.
Other Information
Please use the box below to provide any other information that may be of use in assessing your
application:
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Declaration
I confirm the details given are correct and I will notify you of any changes to my household income,
capital or other circumstances as soon as any change happens. I understand that if I give information
that is false this could lead to legal proceedings being taken against me.
Your signature:
Date:
/ /
The section below must be filled in if someone has filled in the claim form for you.
This includes an agent, appointee, relative or friend.
I have filled in this form on behalf of:
As they cannot fill in the form because:
I am (block capitals):
Your signature:
Relationship to the person claiming:
Unless you are the appointee or have Power of Attorney, the person applying must also sign this form.
This form should be returned to the council with your Housing Benefit application form or change of
address form as soon as possible.
You must also provide a letter from the landlord or agent confirming:
the property details,
the amount of the weekly or monthly rent, and
the amount of the rent in advance and/or deposit required.
Once you have filled in this form and signed the declaration please return it to your Local Authority:
Canterbury City Council
Benefits Service
Military Road
Canterbury, Kent
CT1 1YW
www.canterbury.gov.uk
Dover District Council
Benefits Service
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover, Kent
CT16 3PJ
www.dover.gov.uk
Thanet District Council
Benefits Service
PO Box 9, Cecil Street
Margate, Kent
CT9 1XZ
www.thanet.gov.uk

Discretionary Housing Payments
Advice and Guidance
If you are taking a new tenancy and need help to meet the rent in advance or a rent deposit, you may be
able to get a Discretionary Housing Payment, but only if you are entitled to Housing Benefit.
If you would like to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment, please complete the attached form and
send it to us.
Where help will be given
We are given a limited amount of money by the government to make these extra payments. We are able
to decide who to give this extra help to, and how much to give. Once this money has been used up we
will not be able to give extra payments.
The council can only help if you are entitled to Housing Benefit. If you are not currently receiving Housing
Benefit you must make an application.
Where help will not be given
The council cannot help with some parts of your rent, for instance if meals, heating, lighting, hot water
and water rates are included in the rent charge.
What will you need as proof
You will need to provide a letter from the landlord or agent confirming the property details, the amount of
the weekly or monthly rent and the amount of the rent in advance and/or deposit required.
How will I hear about the decision
We will write to you with our decision. If you have given us your telephone number we will call you.
How much will I get
We can’t guarantee that by applying for help that you will receive it. The most we will give you is one
month for rent in advance and a deposit equal to one month’s rent.
How long will payments last
Awards for rent in advance or deposit are one off payments.
DHP awards may be made as weekly awards for a specific period; it is unlikely you would get a DHP
award for rent in advance or deposit and a weekly award. You should make sure the rent is affordable
before you commit to a tenancy.
What if I disagree
There is no formal right of appeal. However, if you write to us within one month of receiving your decision
letter, telling us the reasons why you disagree with us, we will reconsider your application.