Introduction

This consultation seeks your views on the Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP’s) Policy which details the proposed governance of how such awards will be administered for Shropshire residents.

Background

We receive limited funding each year from the Department for Work and Pensions which can be used to award Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP’s).

The Department for Work and Pensions official guidance to Local Authorities defines DHP’s as “payments made by Local Authorities to provide further financial assistance to claimants receiving Housing Benefit (HB) when the Local Authority considers that additional help with housing costs is required”.

Recent changes in the welfare benefits system affecting the amounts allowed towards a person’s eligible rent and the introduction of the new Universal Credit have, in turn, caused us to review our policy on DHP’s in order to reflect these changes going forward and our Executive has agreed a draft Policy, reflective of the official DWP guidance, for the way in which it is proposed DHP’s will be offered in Shropshire.

Purpose of this consultation

We are seeking the views of our residents, landlords and advice agencies on the proposed policy during a period of public consultation and once agreed, the policy will be used to determine the amount of financial help available.

Please read the draft policy attached to this page and then click on the 'How to get involved' tab at the top of the page to access the online questionnaire where you can give us your thoughts.

Documents

• DHP policy final draft.pdf