Can a DHP be awarded to cover a period prior to the claimant moving in or is this prevented by the reference to "periodical payments in respect of the dwelling which a person occupies as his home" in reg 4 of The Discretionary Financial Assistance Regulations 2001 because they were not occupying the property?

In the particular case the claimant cannot get benefit on two homes, hadn't moved into the new home and I was exploring her options.

I think its perhaps arguable that a DHP could still be paid for the "new home"

Although reg 2(1) of the above Regs, specifies that the person be entitled to HB, it doesn't say the DHP itself has to relate to the property HB is being paid on.

Providing your client was still getting HB for his "old property", arguably reg 2(1)(a) would be met.

Reg 4 itself is headed and concerns the "Limit on the amount of the DHP that may be made".

So arguably, while reg 4(a) would limit the weekly level of DHP to that of the rent paid on the "old property", again this doesn't necessarily mean no DHP could be paid for the "new property".