The funding adds to the Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) fund which is being operated by the local authority and has helped more than 8,500 people to date who face shortfalls in rent due to changes to Housing Benefit.
In March this year, the council approved a new policy on who is eligible to receive payments from the DHP budget. Under these rules, priority is given to applications:
-- Advertisement --
- Where separated parents have a formal arrangement for shared care of a child, or children, and an additional bedroom is a requirement of the agreement.
- To help with ongoing rental costs for a disabled person in significantly adapted accommodation.
- To help with short term rental costs while the claimant seeks employment or secures alternative accommodation.
- To help with short-term rental costs where the claimant is at risk of losing their tenancy resulting from an unexpected financial crisis.
Awards would be made at the discretion of the council but claimants are entitled to request a review of decisions related to DHPs.
(JP/CD)
