December 2015 - Discretionary Housing Payments and Disabled People
The Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson has announced that the discretionary housing payment scheme will be available to disabled people hit by capping social sector rents at local housing allowance (LHA) level.
Responding to a written question in parliament about what assessment has been made of the effect of the reductions in housing benefit announced in the Autumn Statement 2015 Mr Tomlinson stated the policy will only apply from April 2018 where a new tenancy is taken out or a tenancy is renewed after April 2016. By only applying the cap when a new tenancy is taken on or an existing tenancy is renewed will mean that claimants will have the opportunity to consider whether they can afford to take on the property before committing to the tenancy.
The Discretionary Housing Payment scheme will be available for those living in accommodation that has been purpose built or significantly adapted to meet the needs of a disabled person, in the same way as it is for those who receive a reduction in their eligible rent for the removal of the spare room subsidy.
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