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Lower income Angus residents may get grant assistance towards entering a tenancy in a flat or private home. If approved for discretionary housing benefits, the person can have their deposit and rent in advance paid on their behalf. It is up to screeners to determine if an applicant is eligible for aid and if so, how much assistance to provide.

The Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) Scheme is the primary tool of Angus Council to move low income tenants from homelessness or temporary accommodation into the private rented sector. It can provide much needed support for someone that lacks the savings to pay the costs associated with starting a new tenancy. There are limits though.

An applicant must be eligible for Housing Benefit. Someone receiving partial Housing Benefit payments could get an extra amount to put towards rent. Tenants who request a top-off of their partial payments can be approved for the difference from full payments.

Angus has established an exception to a rule that normally prevents participation in the scheme if someone is already receiving their full Housing Benefit. That rule blocks payments to those who have already entered a tenancy. Someone can receive extra funds if they are trying to come up with the cash deposit or rent in advance to gain access to a new home. The purpose is to help people gain access to a private home even when they cannot come up with the required cash.

The DHP scheme  is administered through the Revenues & Benefits Service at Angus Council. They evaluate the merits of all cases and determine what amount if any to authorise towards an applicant’s desire to enter into a new tenancy.

Aid can be approved in certain situations where it is deemed to be necessary to prevent homelessness. Council prefers to help people move to permanent housing rather than to have to help them pay for temporary accommodation. The long-term price difference is much greater. It is also better for family stability when everyone is allowed to live under a single permanent household. Temporary housing can be stressful and often carries additional problems that were unexpected.

A minimum grant of one week can be approved. The maximum grant amount would cover housing costs for up to one year. Some recipients have been fortunate to receive help with upfront costs to gain entry to the home plus recurring payments that help them pay for a large portion of the monthly rent. This is not a permanent aid source. Instead it is merely designed to keep tenants out of homelessness while they are dealing with a personal crisis.

Many factors go into the decision to grant aid. Is the person a permanent resident of Angus? Does anyone in the home need special accommodation due to disability, injury or age? Have any personal events or problems caused additional difficulties for family members? Will the person be able to live independently once DHP grants are curtailed?

There are many other considerations that go into each decision. Anyone who would like to be considered for Discretionary Housing Payments would first need to submit an application with the Revenues and Benefits Service at Angus Council. A fully completed application is necessary. Any missing information or requests for clarification must be supplied within a month or the application can be denied.

Residents may contact Angus Council by calling on 01382 536500. Council offices are located on Maule Street in Monifieth.