Discretionary Housing Payments in Scotland: 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024

Applications figures are for applications received during the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, while figures for determinations and awards are for any applications processed during the same period (Table 2). Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024:
 

• Local authorities received approximately 124,215 applications for DHPs and made 144,480 decisions. Four local authorities made more decisions than they received applications – the reasons for this are explained in the data quality section.
• During the same period local authorities made 135,625 DHP awards. Six local authorities made more awards than they received applications. One reason for this is that multiple awards can be made on one application, and this means that the figure for number of awards does not equate to the number of people receiving awards.
• The total value of awards was £84.9 million, which was 7% greater than at the same point in the previous year (Chart 1); and the average award value was £626, 8% more than in the previous year (£580).
• Although local authorities overspent the annual budget, they are not out of pocket due to the £3.9 million rollover from 2022-23.