Housing deposit

Kerry2024

Hi I'm looking to relocate from Devon to Worcester, I am in receipt of universal credit/pip/lcwra. Will I be entitled for help with the rental deposit and if so how do I go about it, is it Devon council or Worcestershire council I approach?

Many thanks

Kind regards. K 🙂

Kimi87

I think it would probably be Worcester.

There is no automatic guaranteed entitlement but a Discretionary Housing Payment is a possibility,

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments

Also councils sometimes have separate schemes etc as funding these things keeps people off the social housing list.

Kimi87

Just to update my previous advice, a new fund is replacing DHP's from April 1st.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2029

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Kerry2024, As Kimi87 posted, the discretionary housing payment (or the new equivalent) is hopefully an option to explore. Councils should also know of any other local deposit schemes that could help. Shelter have a page of advice here about finding deposits in case that's helpful to you: https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/rent_deposit_bond_and_guarantee_schemes

Devon to Worcestershire is a big move! Have you started house hunting yet or are you looking at budgets first? Hope it all goes well ☺️