Thousands of renters on Universal Credit can get bill help with little-known scheme worth £600 – check if you can claim
TENANTS struggling to pay housing costs can tap into support from their local council, but it's estimated thousands are missing out.
The financial help is worth an average of £600 as a one-off payment and can be used to cover rent shortfalls, deposits as well as other moving costs.
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Councils are allocated a pot of cash of £100million from the government to give to struggling households through the so-called 'Discretionary Housing Payments'.
Anyone getting housing benefit or Housing Benefit or the Housing Element of Universal Credit in England and Wales can apply for the help which could be a financial godsend.
There's a similar scheme in Scotland which can also provide support for housing costs.
If you qualify, you can typically expect to get £601 in support as a one-off payment, latest government figures show - but help can run into the thousands in some cases.
Almost one in five payments were used to secure alternative accommodation, according to figures from the Department of Work and Pensions.
And one in ten were for help with rent costs while the tenant looks for employment.
You can apply if you're are struggling with rent costs of any kind.
Local authorities give out the money on a case-by-case basis and the exact amount you could get depends on where you live and your circumstances.
The cost of your housing, the size of your family and if you've fallen behind on rent are among the factors taken into account.
Housing costs in the capital are often higher than other locations across the country so payouts there can be higher.
The amount councils can give out also depends on how many people need it.
As there is a set pot of cash for each area, the more people who apply the less money can be given out to each person who applies.
And once a council uses up all the funding for the year, it may have to turn down applications if there is no more cash left.
How do I apply?
If the benefits you're currently getting don't cover the cost of your housing then you may be able to get the help.
You need to apply through your local council for Discretionary Housing Payment.
The payment is discretionary, which means that the financial support given out is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Find out what your local council is offering on their website or by calling them directly.
You can't get DHP to cover council tax or service charges.
And you won't be able to get it if your benefits are reduced because of an overpayment and that means you can't pay all or some of your rent.
What other help with housing costs is available?
If you're battling to afford the cost of living, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline.
The financial support is one way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living.
Every council in England has been given a pot of cash by the government to distribute to local low income households.
Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support.
Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income.
The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer.
Many local councils will also hand out free cash, food vouchers and help for bills to struggling families under the Welfare assistance scheme.
Some local authorities may offer to put money towards paying your rent.
Check what your local council can offer by getting in touch.
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
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