What are Discretionary Housing Payments?

There isn’t a single DWP moving house grant. That’s why finding help with moving costs feels so unclear.

Many people are told there’s a government payment to help them move. They search for it, see different answers, and end up more confused than when they started.

Support does exist. But it isn’t in one place. Some help comes from your council. Some depends on your benefits. Some is a grant. Some has to be repaid. And what’s available can change depending on where you live.

In most cases, the support people mean is a Discretionary Housing Payment. This is a council scheme that can sometimes help with deposits, rent in advance, or removal costs if you receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.

This guide explains what’s realistic, what to try first, and how to approach it so you don’t waste time chasing the wrong option.

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Quick Steps to Get Help with Moving Costs

1. Check whether you receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with the housing element. This determines whether DHP is an option.
2. Contact your local council and ask how to apply for a DHP and what evidence they need.
3. If DHP isn’t available, ask about local welfare schemes, the Household Support Fund, or bond deposit schemes.
4. Get 2–3 removal quotes so you know what the move will realistically cost. You’ll need this to budget and to support any funding request.
5. Apply with clear evidence. If refused, ask what was missing before trying another route.

What is a Discretionary Housing Payment?

If you’re moving and receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit, a DHP is usually the first route worth trying. It’s extra financial support your local council can award to help with housing costs. The word "discretionary" matters: there is no automatic entitlement, no set amount, and no guarantee. Councils decide case by case.

For the financial year ending March 2026, the UK government allocated £100 million to local authorities for DHP funding. Councils use this to help people with a shortfall between their housing costs and the amount covered by benefits, or who face one-off costs connected to a necessary move.

Can I Claim a Discretionary Housing Payment?

You can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) if you already receive:

• Housing Benefit, or
• Universal Credit with the housing element

If you receive neither, you cannot get a DHP, so skip to the other support options below.

A DHP is not guaranteed. Your local council decides whether to award it based on your circumstances. It’s usually considered where there’s a shortfall between the housing support you receive and your actual housing costs, or where you have essential one-off costs linked to a necessary move.

Councils often prioritise cases where housing costs are affected by the benefit cap, the bedroom tax, or Local Housing Allowance limits that do not cover the full rent. They will also look at your overall financial situation and whether the move is necessary.

If you’re unsure whether your Universal Credit includes the housing element, check your UC statement or journal, or contact your council’s benefits team.

What a DHP Can Cover for Your Move

Councils mainly award DHPs to cover ongoing rent shortfalls caused by the benefit cap, the bedroom tax, or Local Housing Allowance limits. But they can also consider one-off moving costs, including rent deposits, rent in advance, and removal costs.

Not every council treats moving costs the same way. Some will help with deposits but not removals. Some will only help if the move is essential: to escape overcrowding, domestic abuse, or to be closer to medical care.

Home movers we speak to are often surprised by the variation, and some find they’re told “not eligible” in one borough but would qualify in another. The only way to know is to ask your council directly what they can consider for your move.

DHPs will not cover council tax, service charges, utility bills, or non-housing costs.

How to Apply for a DHP

Apply through your local council. Most have an online form, or you can contact the benefits or housing team directly. Search your council’s website for "Discretionary Housing Payment" or call and ask for the DHP team.

The council will decide whether to award a DHP, how much, and for how long. According to Turn2Us, there is no set limit on duration. You might receive a one-off payment or ongoing support. Payment usually goes to you or directly to your landlord. If awarded, get written confirmation and keep a copy.

How to Strengthen Your Application

Councils assess each DHP application on its own merits. They look at household income and outgoings, savings, debts, whether anyone else can contribute, vulnerability or caring responsibilities, whether the move is genuinely necessary, and what steps you’ve already taken.

Two people with similar costs can get different decisions.

What you can control is how clearly you present your case. Be specific about what you’re asking for (deposit, rent in advance, removal costs), why the move is necessary, and what the costs are likely to be.

A common issue we see: people ask for “help with moving costs” but attach nothing showing what the move will actually cost. Based on what our partners tell us, even a couple of removal quotes can make a significant difference. They give the council something concrete to assess rather than an open-ended request.

Quotes also help you understand what’s realistic, so you’re not guessing when you fill in the application.

If you’re unsure how to frame your request, start with one sentence:
“I need help with [specific cost] to move into a new tenancy because [reason]. The cost is [amount from quotes] and I can’t cover it because [short explanation].” Then attach your evidence.

Evidence checklist

• Proof you receive Housing Benefit or UC with the housing element
• Tenancy details for the new home (address, start date, rent amount)
• Written explanation of why you need to move
• Bank statements if requested
• Breakdown of the specific costs you need help with
• Removal quotes if asking for help with removal costs (make sure they’re like for like)
• Supporting documents about health, disability, or safety if relevant

Why Getting Removal Quotes Early Helps

Whether you’re applying for a DHP, a council welfare scheme, or a charity grant, knowing what your move will cost makes every conversation easier. You can tell the council exactly what you need rather than asking for vague "help with moving costs". You can compare service levels and find the option that fits your budget. And if you’re asked to evidence your costs, you already have it.

Our partners tell us that the most accurate quotes come from movers who’ve been given clear details upfront: what you’re moving, where from, where to, and any access issues at either end. Getting 2–3 quotes takes a few minutes and gives you a realistic picture of what your move will cost before you commit to anything.

Other Help with Moving Costs

If you don’t qualify for a DHP, or your application is refused, other routes exist. Some can also be used alongside a DHP. The practical reality for most people is that help comes from more than one place.

Budgeting Loans and Budgeting Advances

If you have been on certain benefits long enough, you may qualify for a Budgeting Loan or Budgeting Advance. These can help with removal costs, deposits, and essential household items.

Unlike DHPs, these are repayable from future benefit payments. Only consider them if you can manage the reduced income while repaying.

Local welfare schemes

Councils may have additional support through:

• the Household Support Fund in England
• the Scottish Welfare Fund
• the Discretionary Assistance Fund in Wales

What’s covered varies by area. Some councils will help with moving costs. Others will not. You have to ask.

Bond Deposit Schemes

Many councils run bond or deposit guarantee schemes. Instead of paying a cash deposit, the council guarantees it to the landlord. This can remove one of the biggest upfront barriers to moving.

These schemes are often poorly advertised. Search your council’s site for “deposit guarantee” or “housing bond scheme”, or contact the housing team directly.

Charity Grants and Tenancy Support

Some charities provide grants based on occupation, health, age, or location. Turn2Us has a grants search tool, and Citizens Advice can help you identify what you might qualify for.

Some councils also have tenancy support teams or discretionary funds that can help with moving costs, furniture, or white goods. These are not always listed online.

If You're Not on Benefits

Not everyone searching for help with moving costs is claiming benefits. If you're working but struggling to cover deposit, first month's rent, and removal costs at the same time, your options are more limited but they exist.

Bond deposit schemes are sometimes available to working renters. Some councils offer interest-free loans for deposits. Zero-deposit rental schemes exist through some letting agents, though availability varies.

For removal costs specifically, comparing quotes and choosing a partial service, flexible date, or packing yourself can make a real difference. This is where getting quotes becomes most useful: it turns "I can't afford to move" into a specific number you can plan around.

What to Do If You’re Refused or Need Help Urgently

How to Keep Removal Costs Down

Whether or not you're applying for funding, keeping costs realistic makes everything easier: easier to budget, easier to evidence, and easier to get accurate quotes that won't change on the day.

The three biggest cost drivers for a removal are volume (how much you're moving), distance, and access at both ends. Reducing any of these reduces the price.

Compare a full removal with part-load or man-and-van options. Pack yourself where possible. Declutter before getting quotes, because fewer items means a smaller van and a lower price.

Be upfront about access (stairs, parking, long carries) so quotes don't change on the day. Ask about cheaper midweek or mid-month dates. If you only need help with heavy items, ask for a partial service.

Getting quotes is the single most useful step you can take early in the process. It tells you what the move will actually cost, gives you something to show the council or a charity, and lets you compare service levels rather than just guessing.

Before You Move: Who to Tell

Moving can affect your benefits, especially if you're crossing council boundaries. Getting this wrong can cause gaps in payments at the worst possible time.

• Housing Benefit is managed by your local council. If you move to a different council area, your claim does not transfer. You'll need a new claim with the new council. Tell your current council as early as possible.
• Universal Credit is managed by the DWP, but your housing costs are reassessed when you move. Report the change through your journal as soon as possible. Any DHP application still goes through your local council, not the DWP.

If you're moving to a different council area, you may be dealing with two councils at once. Ask your current council what ends when you leave. Ask your new council what you can apply for and when. Keep copies of everything.