Help with paying Council Tax and housing costs

How we can help

If you are suffering financial hardship we offer a number of different types of extra help with rent, rent deposits and council tax. You must already be in receipt of housing benefit, the rent element of Universal Credit or council tax reduction to apply for extra help.

You do not have an automatic right to a Discretionary Housing Payment. We process each application on its own merit and consider: 

• Your income
• Your expenditure
• Your savings
• Your personal circumstances
• If anyone else in your house can help you
• If you have any loans or debts
• If you’ve had a DHP before and what you’ve done to improve your financial situation
• If you or anyone in your family is ill or disabled

Evidence required with your application

To help process your application we will require the following documentation.

• Tenancy agreement / proof of rent
• If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, please supply your latest Universal Credit award, showing all income, including Housing Costs and any deductions being taken
• Last two months bank statements

Please ensure you provide this documentation when you submit your application to avoid it being refused.   

Extra help with rent if you are receiving the housing element of Universal Credit

If you are already receiving the housing element of Universal Credit and you want to apply for extra help with your rent or if you need to put down a rent deposit or the landlord requires and advance rent payment, you can apply for help. Please complete your application using the link below. 

Apply for help with rent if on Universal Credit 

Extra help with your rent if you receive Housing benefit

If you are already receiving some Housing Benefits but you still need extra help with the rent you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). If there’s a shortfall in what you are receiving, this ‘top up’ payment can be considered on an individual basis based on your current circumstances; please email enquiries@gedling.gov.uk requesting an application for a discretionary payment towards your on-going rent. Please ensure you provide your income and expenditure on your application as weekly amounts, if you pay these monthly for example, please convert them to a weekly amount prior to completing the form.

Help with a deposit or rent advance

If you need to put down a rent deposit or the landlord requires a payment of rent in advance and you are currently in receipt of Housing Benefit, you can apply for help. Please email enquiries@gedling.gov.uk requesting an application for a discretionary payment towards a deposit or rent in advance and provide evidence of the amount required and your new landlords details. Please ensure you provide your income and expenditure on your application as weekly amounts, if you pay these monthly for example, please convert them to a weekly amount prior to completing the form.

Extra help with your council tax

You can also apply for extra help with your council tax. Again, you must already be receiving Council Tax reduction help and still have a shortfall to pay. You can apply for extra help based on your current financial circumstances and at the council’s discretion, please email enquiries@gedling.gov.uk requesting an application for a discretionary payment towards your council tax.

Please ensure you provide your income and expenditure on your application as weekly amounts, if you pay these monthly for example, please convert them to a weekly amount prior to completing the form.