Extra money for rent and council tax
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)
You can apply for extra help with your housing costs, known as Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP), if you receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and this does not cover your full rent.
In exceptional circumstances, we can also use money from the fund to help you pay rent in advance to move into a new property.
Payments are only made for a limited time to customers experiencing financial difficulties.
A payment cannot be larger than the difference between your housing benefit or the housing element of your universal credit and the total rent you have to pay.
How payment is made
If you receive Housing Benefit your Discretionary Housing Payments will be made alongside your benefits, whether the payment goes to you or directly to your landlord.
If you claim universal credit then the payment will come from North East Lincolnshire Council as a separate transaction.
Extra Council Tax Support Payment (ECTS)
The Extra Council Tax support Fund has been set up for customers receiving Council Tax support and need help to pay the rest of their Council Tax bill.
The most you will be entitled to is the difference between the Council Tax support you receive and the amount of Council Tax you still need to pay. It will be paid in to your Council Tax account.
For example:
Your Council Tax bill is £12 per week, and with £8 per week in Council Tax support, the extra support payment can pay a maximum of £4.
How applications are reviewed
The benefits team considers each application individually and takes in to account the total household income. A decision will be made if award the extra support payment and how much it will be.
Apply for extra support
Make sure you have all the required information before you fill in the online form. You will need details of your household’s income and a list of all your outgoings.
View DHP and ECTS information checklist (PDF, 78KB) .
Apply for Discretionary Housing Payments or Extra Council Tax Support.
Change in circumstances
You must inform the Benefits office of any changes in your circumstances as your entitlement is based on current information.
Tell us about your change in circumstances for DHP / ECTS payments. Do not use this form to report changes for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support.
Related content
Related documents
Housing Discretionary Support Fund Policy (PDF, 62KB)
Contact details
Benefits , Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN31 1HU
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0300 3030164 option 3
Telephone opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm, except bank holidays