Councils Warn Lower Benefit Cap Putting Pressure On DHP Budgets

A number of Scottish councils have warned they may not be able to afford the full cost of Discretionary Housing Payments to cover tenants’ rent in the future because of the new lower benefit cap. Five Scottish councils said the lower benefit cap of £20,000 currently being rolled out across Scotland will add pressure to their DHP budgets. Midlothian Council said due to “funding constraints” within the Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) budget and the increased number of cases “we are not in a position to award DHPs in full for all cases affected by the benefit cap”. Read more on Inside Housing.