This is a web version of our Housing Payments (formerly DHP) factsheet (PDF, 148.2 KB).
The information on this page was correct at the time of publication (14 April 2026).
What is a Housing Payment?
A Housing Payment is a short-term payment from the council.
It is extra money to pay certain housing costs. The amount you get will depend on your circumstances.
What can you use a housing payment for?
You can use a housing payment for temporary help to pay your rent and other housing costs. For example, a shortfall in your rent if you are affected by the benefit cap.
It is not a regular payment like welfare benefits. It is a temporary payment you could get while you improve your circumstances.
The council will estimate the time you need to find a long-term solution for paying your housing costs. Your housing payment will cover that period.
For example, if your rent is high, the council could give you a housing payment while you find somewhere more affordable within a reasonable timeframe.
Can you use a housing payment for Council Tax or furniture?
No. A housing payment could help you cover a gap between your benefits payments and your housing costs.
A housing payment should not be used for Council Tax payments or to buy things for your home. It is to help you avoid becoming homeless.
For other expenses, consider other ways to increase your income and reduce your bills.
You should also check you are claiming all the welfare benefits you are allowed to claim.
How can you get a housing payment?
Before you can apply for a housing payment, you must be getting Housing Benefit or the Housing Costs element of Universal Credit. You must also need help with your housing costs.
If you live in Enfield, you should apply to Enfield Council.
When you apply for a housing payment, the council will check if you need this extra money.
However, applying for a housing payment does not mean you will get it. Even if you received a housing payment before, the council could refuse your housing payment application.
Are you affected by the benefit cap?
If you are aged 16 or over, and below the State Pension age, you might be affected by the benefit cap. The benefit cap limits the total you can get when you claim welfare benefits.
The current (April 2026) benefit cap for inside Greater London is:
- £2,110.25 per month for couples (or for lone parents living with their children)
- £1,413.92 per month for single adults
If your benefits are capped, your Housing Benefit, or the Housing Costs element of your Universal Credit, will be lower.
One way to avoid the benefit cap is if – after tax and National Insurance – you and your partner earn a combined monthly salary of £881 or more. Other exceptions are on GOV.UK (search for ‘benefit cap’).
Can you get a housing payment if you are benefit capped?
Yes, you can apply for a housing payment even if you are benefit capped. The money you get from a housing payment is not affected by the benefit cap.
However, you need to claim Housing Benefit or the Housing Costs element of Universal Credit before you can apply for a housing payment.
Can you apply for a housing payment more than once?
Yes, but you should not rely on getting a housing payment.
If you cannot pay your housing costs, a housing payment is not a long-term solution.
A housing payment is given ‘at the discretion’ of the council. This means that the council could decide not to give you a housing payment.
Also, when you first apply for a housing payment, you must agree an action plan with the council.
You must complete your action plan before you apply for another housing payment.
Has the council refused your housing payment application?
You could get more than one housing payment over a given period.
However, the council can still refuse a new housing payment application even if your circumstances have not changed since your last housing payment.
For example, the council will check if you are relying on housing payments instead of following your agreed action plan.
How can you ask for a review of a housing payment decision?
You can ask for a review of a housing payment decision by Enfield Council.
You must make your request within four weeks of getting the decision letter. Please email revs@enfield.gov.uk.
You cannot appeal a housing payment review decision; it is final.
What can you do if the council refuses your housing payment application?
You must not rely on getting a housing payment. You need a long-term way to afford your housing costs. You could try to:
- find a home you can afford to rent
- increase your income
- reduce your expenses (such as getting help with childcare costs)
References and further advice
Housing Payment (HP)
Paying your rent and rent arrears
- Rent increases (Shelter)
- Get help to pay your rent (Citizens Advice)
- Rent advice from our online self-help tool
- Breathing space debt respite (rent arrears) (GOV.UK)
- Cost of living support and help to pay your housing costs and bills
Claiming welfare benefits
- Where to get help and advice about benefits (MoneyHelper)
- Check what benefits you can get (Citizens Advice)
- Benefits calculators (GOV.UK)
Benefit cap
- Benefit cap (Turn2us)
- Benefit cap (GOV.UK)
- Benefit cap amounts (GOV.UK)
- Benefit cap exceptions (GOV.UK)
Debt and bills
- Get help with debt or paying your bills
- Call National Debtline for free debt advice on 0808 808 4000
- Dealing with debt (MoneyHelper)
- Get help with childcare costs (GOV.UK)
Tenancies and evictions
Finding an affordable home to rent or buy
- How to rent (GOV.UK)
- How to find a property to rent
- Rent-to-buy (GOV.UK)
- Affordable home ownership scheme (GOV.UK)
Homelessness advice
- Avoid becoming homeless
- What happens if you become homelessness
- Shelter’s free phone number is 0808 800 4444