Meta description: A clear guide to Discretionary Housing Payments in 2026, including who can apply, how councils decide, and what changed in England and Wales.
Housing costs are still a real pressure point for many households, and for some people, rent becomes difficult to manage even after housing benefit or Universal Credit has been paid. Discretionary Housing Payments, often called DHPs, can provide short-term support where there is still a housing shortfall.
These payments are awarded by local authorities at their discretion, which means each case is considered individually rather than through a fixed national formula. That makes them an important source of help for people who are facing unexpected hardship, rent pressure, or a temporary change in circumstances.
What is a Discretionary Housing Payment?
A Discretionary Housing Payment is extra help towards housing costs for people who already receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit but still face a gap between their support and their rent. The scheme is designed to give councils flexibility where a household needs additional help because of the benefit cap, Local Housing Allowance limits, or the removal of the spare room subsidy.
In some cases, DHPs can also help with rent in advance, deposits, or other housing-related costs, depending on local policy. Because the award is discretionary, the local authority looks at the full picture before deciding whether support is appropriate.
What changed in 2026?
From 1 April 2026, the position in England changed. DHPs were replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment route, which is set out in the official guidance for local authorities in England.
In Wales, housing costs guidance continues to refer to DHPs, so the term is still the correct one to use in Welsh-facing content. That distinction matters if you are writing for providers, families, or support teams working across both countries.
Who can apply?
In Wales, a person can apply for DHP if they receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and still need extra help with housing costs. The local authority will usually ask for evidence of income, expenditure, rent, savings, and any exceptional circumstances before making a decision.
In England, the equivalent support now sits under the Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment arrangements. The aim remains similar: to give councils a way to support people facing housing hardship, arrears, or the risk of losing accommodation.
How councils decide
Local authorities assess each request on its own merits, using the person’s full financial situation as the starting point. They usually look at income, essential spending, rent level, savings, and whether there is any other support already available.
Many councils also publish their own local policy documents to show how they apply the rules in practice. For example, this local authority policy example and this Crisis and Resilience Fund policy show how national guidance is turned into local decision-making. These are useful references if you want your article to feel authentic and properly sourced.
Why this matters for health and social care
For health and social care providers, housing pressure often sits alongside wider issues such as safeguarding, discharge planning, debt, and family stress. If a resident, tenant, or supported person is struggling to remain in their home, signposting them to the right local support can make a real difference.
This is especially relevant in supported living, extra care, domiciliary care, and services working with people at risk of homelessness. Clear, accurate information can help prevent avoidable crises and keep people settled for longer.
Practical advice for readers
If someone is struggling with rent or housing costs, it is usually best to contact the local council as early as possible and ask about the local application process. It also helps to gather recent bank statements, rent evidence, benefit letters, and anything else that shows why the household is under pressure.
The earlier someone asks for help, the better the chance of preventing arrears, stress, and a possible housing crisis. In Wales, that may still mean applying for a Discretionary Housing Payment, while in England the support now sits under the Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment route.
Closing line
If you are a provider, family member, or someone trying to stay in your home, it is worth checking what help is available locally. The rules differ between England and Wales, so using the correct term and linking to the right guidance helps keep your article accurate, trustworthy, and easy to act on.
