Discretionary housing payments

Request data on discretionary housing payment applications, awards, and refusals.

Discretionary housing payments (DHPs) help people who cannot afford their rent, often because of the bedroom tax, the benefit cap, or a shortfall between Local Housing Allowance and their actual rent. Scottish Government policy is that bedroom tax and benefit cap DHPs should always be awarded, but councils have more discretion for other cases.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of DHP applications received. 2. The number of applications awarded and the total amount paid out. 3. The number of applications refused and the most common reasons for refusal. 4. A breakdown of awards by reason for application (e.g. bedroom tax, benefit cap, local housing allowance shortfall). I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]
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Who to send it to#

Your local council’s benefits or revenues department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

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Tips#

  • The Scottish Government publishes annual DHP statistics by council. Check what is already available before making your request.
  • Asking for refusal reasons is particularly useful, as these are not included in published statistics.
  • If the council says this would exceed the cost limit, focus on items 1 and 2 only.