Welfare Support Team

Settling into the community

The scheme helps vulnerable Hartlepool residents with essential household goods and appliances. It cannot routinely help people moving house with new goods nor can it replace appliances that have broken down. It is for victims of domestic abuse, rough sleepers and people experiencing homelessness, people leaving prison, people discharged from hospital, people leaving supported accommodation or people who have Leave to Remain. This is not an exhaustive list. People do not need to be in receipt of benefits to ask for support, but they must be able to clearly demonstrate that financial assistance is required and that failure to provide such assistance could lead to a deterioration in their health and wellbeing. Applicants must be eligible to access Government funding and have recourse to public funds.

Apply at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/WelfareSupport

For more information call the Welfare Support Team on (01429) 806895 or email [email protected]

Discretionary Housing Payment
Who can get Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)

Local Authorities have discretion to award a DHP to a person who is entitled to Housing Benefit (HB), Housing Element of Universal Credit and who, in the opinion of the authority, requires some further financial assistance to help with their housing costs or to move to more affordable accommodation.

As part of the application process we may have to contact your landlord for information on your tenancy.

Period of claim
Authorities have discretion as to the period over which they award a DHP and are free to decide the start and end dates of entitlement, whether to backdate, and the method and frequency of payment.

How to apply
You may wish to apply by clicking on the appropriate link:

Requesting support for help with the bedroom tax or the shortfall between your gross rent liability and your housing benefit/housing element please click www.hartlepool.gov.uk/DHP/apply

Please telephone 01429 806895 during Officer Hours or email [email protected] for further information.

Please complete an application form for Discretionary Housing payment and return it to Hartlepool Borough Council.