Hi
The Draft Guidance includes a Discretionary Housing Payment Guidance Manual and a Local Authority Good Practice Good. The document refers to the increase in DHPs to take into account the impact of HB Cap and UC cap. £75m 2013/14 and £45m 2014/15. The savings made by the imposition of the HB Cap are £195m and £220m for the same periods. There is even a greater disparity for Under occupation.
The LA Guide is clear that those affected should find work, make up the difference or negotiate with the landord (paragraph 1.13). Any DHPs should be made as short term temporary relief (paragraph 1.11). Consultation on the drafts ended on 31/08/2012.
The DWP want LA’s to monitor DHPs and list them under the four main reasons for application i.e. HB Cap, Under occupation, LHA changes and pre LHA changes.
Shaun
