Find out more about the Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) Scheme

The DHP scheme is funded by the Department for Communities and administered by Northern Ireland Housing Executive, meaning that applications for the fund must be made to the Housing Executive.

It is open to tenants living in the private rented sector and may provide extra help with rental liability if the housing costs element of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit does not fully cover the rent charged.

The aim of the scheme is to help tenants living in the private rented sector sustain their tenancy and prevent and alleviate homelessness.

Gillian Greer, Assistant Director Housing Benefit, explained: 

“We want to make sure that everyone knows what help is available and we want to help as many people as we can.

“The Discretionary Housing Payment scheme is complex. Its main aim is to help people in the private rented sector meet the shortfall between the rental element used to calculate their Housing Benefit or housing costs element of Universal Credit and the contractual rent charged by the landlord; however, there are very specific eligibility criteria in place.

“We are encouraging anyone who requires assistance with rent payments to visit our website to see if they are eligible to apply for the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme, at: 

More help with paying your housing costs

You can also apply for the scheme at: 

Discretionary Housing Payment Application

“If you do not have access to a computer, you can phone 0344 8920 902 and ask for more information, 

or email/write to your local Housing Benefit Unit. 

You can find contact details for your local Housing Benefit Unit on our website at:

Housing Executive Office Locations

“Discretionary Housing Payment comes from a finite fund and we want to ensure that the people who most need help are getting the support they need when they need it.”