Discretionary Payments Scheme

The Council has a limited amount of money that can be used to help residents who may fit the specified criteria. The scheme is not part of the benefits legislation. All awards are made at the Council's discretion. To be eligible you will need to show that your circumstances are exceptional.

You will be asked to provide various forms of evidence to help with the decision making process. This may include bank statements. We cannot proceed with your application if you fail to provide what is requested.

To be considered for a Discretionary Housing Payment:

• you need to be in receipt of Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and
• there needs to be a shortfall between the amount of benefit you receive and the amount of rent you are charged.

Discretionary Housing Payments are a national scheme funded by the government and administered by local councils. The scheme provides extra financial help towards your rent on top of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.

You are charged Council Tax for residential properties you either live in, or are responsible for. The amount of the Council Tax depends on the value of your property. The value of your property depends on how big it is, and where it is located in the borough. The more expensive the property the more Council Tax you are charged. If your property is empty, you may still have to pay Council Tax.

Households on a low income can claim Council Tax Support. This is local scheme run by Bury Council to provide financial help with Council Tax charges.

In addition to Council Tax Support, we also have a Discretionary Council Tax Payment scheme, to help people in exceptional circumstances.

Discretionary Payments are intended to support you through a time of financial hardship. They provide a way for us to help if you are unable to pay your rent or Council Tax, and fall outside the remit of other forms of assistance.

What does 'discretionary' mean?

'Discretionary' means that we are able to choose who we pay, how much we pay and how long the payments last for. This gives us the flexibility to help people who fall outside the normal welfare benefits schemes. Unlike Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support we have no obligation to make payments.

Our decisions must be consistent and fair.

To be considered for a Discretionary Housing Payment:

• you need to be in receipt of Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and
• there needs to be a shortfall between the amount of benefit you receive and the amount of rent you are charged.

These are legal requirements set by the government.

The eligibility criteria for Discretionary Council Tax Payments are slightly different. If you have a low income you may be entitled to Council Tax Support there are some situations where you cannot qualify for this discount, for example if you have an empty property. Therefore we will consider claims from anyone who is liable for Council Tax, and who in our opinion, needs further financial help, regardless of whether or not they receive Council Tax Support.

In all cases we cannot pay out more than the amount of Council Tax you being charged.

Our main concern is your financial situation and your ability to pay your rent and Council Tax. It is possible to say that certain groups of people are more likely to have financial difficulties. However, we believe that confining eligibility to these groups restricts our discretion. That is not the intention of the scheme.