Sefton Council now has almost £1/2 million available to help people living in rented housing across the Borough.
The Council has been allocated £495,361 by the Government for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs).
DHPs can be used to cover a range of short-term housing costs. These can include rent payments and deposits and one-off expenses. Tenants who are on Housing Benefit, or who receive support for their housing through Universal Credit may be able to access DHPs.
Disabled people can use DHPs to pay for adaptations to their homes to meet their health needs. And DHPs can be available to registered foster carers who need more than one room for the children they foster. Long-term situations with rent or Council Tax are not covered by DHPs.
Sefton Council works with local community organisations to publicise DHPs, but tenants in Sefton can also find out more about the payments at www.sefton.gov.uk/DHPs. People can also find out more by emailing Contact@sefton.gov.uk or calling the Council’s Contact Centre on 0345 140 0845.
Cllr Christine Howard, Sefton Council’s Cabinet member for Corporate Services, said:
“Discretionary Housing Payments can provide vital funds for people to cover short-term expenditure or for one-off work to adapt their homes.
“The Government made over £495,000 available to Sefton Council for DHPs, so I would urge anyone living in rented accommodation in Sefton who thinks they might qualify, to visit www.sefton.gov.uk/DHPs where they can find out more and apply.”
The web page explains who can apply for the payments, what they can be used for, how to apply and how payments are made and how to apply. Information about DHPs is also available from One Stop Shops, Advice Centres and through registered social landlords.
People in Sefton can find information on a range of support and services to help with the cost of living at www.sefton.gov.uk/cost-of-living