Secondary school applications close 31 October
If your child starts secondary school in September 2027, apply for a school place by Saturday 31 October.
Discretionary Housing Payments
Get extra help if your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit does not cover your rent.
A Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is extra money to help with housing costs. It's usually for a short time while you sort out your situation.
Who can apply
You must get Housing Benefit or the housing part of Universal Credit, and still need help with:
- a gap between your benefit and your rent
- a rent deposit or rent in advance for a new home
- rent arrears, if paying them would stop you losing your home
Apply
You'll need details of your income and spending, so we can see why you need help.
Apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment
What happens next
We'll tell you our decision within 14 days. We have a set amount to give each year, so we cannot help everyone. If we refuse, you can ask us to look at our decision again within one month.