Derbyshire emergency rental assistance

Several organisations provide assistance with rent and housing payments in the Derbyshire area. In an emergency, councils provide individuals on a low income access to the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme which can be used to pay rental arrears due to the landlord. There are also law centres in Chesterfield and charities in the area that can help in a crisis.

In an emergency, the central government funded Discretionary Housing Payment is available from many of the local councils in Derbyshire. The funding is limited, and tenants are under no obligation to receive financial help from it as it is a special programme that differs from the standard housing benefit. Any money provided for rent arrears is paid out at the discretion of the council.

When applying for this fund, applications will need to be submitted at your local council, or people can apply online at a local internet access point. Specialists at the council can also provide more information and answer questions.

The housing team at the council will review applications on an individual basis. It is reviewed for merits as well as the person’s income and savings. Any payment for rent will normally be for Derbyshire families that are faced with a crisis that was not caused by them and that agree to housing stability goals. There is also assistance for a household with a disabled person as well.

The council will also give priority for any Discretionary Housing Payment to households that have done the following. The tenant should have made an effort with their landlord to reduce their rent from mediation or a payment plan. Councils in Derbyshire will also review the applicants income and what they have done to address any employment problems they have. In general, any assistance is only provided at most once every 12 months. People will also need to note what other charities and not-for profits they have contacted for help, as the housing payment is intended to be a last resort.

Any funds provided to the individual or family or at the discretion of the council, and the money could run out at any time. They will decide how much to pay for rent arrears or any other costs, such as gas bills, that the tenant has. The applicant will be notified of how much they will be provided and whether it will be in the form of a loan that needs to be repaid or a grant.

To find more information on how to get help in an emergency from the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme, call or drop in at your local council. The main offices in Derbyshire are as follows.

Households local to Chesterfield can drop in at or call the Borough Council is at 85 New Square. The housing team phone number is 01246 345700. Specialists from the customer service centre can give advice on homeless prevention programmes and how to get help with rental payments. They can also have information on temporary accommodations in Chesterfield and provide applications for housing benefits and other welfare services.

North East Derbyshire Council has an address of Saltergate, Chesterfield, S40 1LF, telephone 01246 231111. They also offer advice for the families threatened with homelessness and can process applications for housing payments.

Individuals with a local connection to Bolsover can get help with housing payments as well. The council provides grants to tenants that can be used to pay a rent arrears if the funds will stop an eviction. There are also referrals available to credit unions such as 2Shires for low interest loans as well as other services to call for assistance with late rent in Bolsover.

Derbyshire County Discretionary Fund is a crisis scheme for residents that are under exceptional financial pressure. A grant can be provided by the council to help the tenant pay rent arrears to their landlord, if they are threatened with homelessness. There is also assistance for utility or fuel arrears during the winter, counselling, and other aid from the council. The aim is to help prevent homelessness in the county for people with a one time crsisis, and find more information on grants from Derbyshire Fund.

Additional organisations for housing assistance in Derbyshire

The Chesterfield Law Centre, which is located at 44 Park Road, Chesterfield, S40 1XZ, can provide free legal advice to people threatened with evictions or homelessness. As assessment will need to take place, and then the client can meet with a solicitor. They can provide advise on their legal rights when it comes to rent arrears, provide referrals, and help with applications to housing benefits and other welfare programmes. Phone number to ring is 01246 550674.

Derbyshire Housing Aid, or DHA, is a local charity for the low income and vulnerable. A wide range of housing services are provided, including applications for emergency rent payments from the council to offering free legal advice. The organization can provide tenant and landlord mediation as well as offer solutions on housing disrepair.

Advisors from the centre offer many other services too. They do what they can to prevent homelessness, including illegal evictions. Lawyers can help individuals on a low income resolve Housing Benefit issues and obtain any other government assistance they are entitled too, whether it is for rent or other bills. Another service is mediation a payment plan on rent arrears with the tenant landlord.

DHA is a leading agency in Derbyshire for people facing poverty to turn to for help for their housing problems. They operate from Community Legal Advice Centre, Phoenix Street, Derby, and can be called at 01332 287850.