Benefits data and information requests
We get many requests under the Freedom of Information Act for information on how our DHP fund is spent, our caseload, exempt accommodation cases and so on.
Before you make your request, you may be able to find what you are looking for here.
Claims caseload
Housing Benefit
|
Year |
Pension age claims |
Working age claims |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2025/2026 |
2569 |
622 |
3191 |
|
2024/2025 |
2525 |
1308 |
3833 |
|
2023/2024 |
2564 |
2060 |
4624 |
|
2022/2023 |
2610 |
2280 |
4890 |
Council Tax Reduction
|
Year |
Pension age claims |
Working age claims |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2025/2026 |
4265 |
4730 |
8995 |
|
2024/2025 |
4245 |
4624 |
8869 |
|
2023/2024 |
4331 |
4562 |
8893 |
|
2022/2023 |
4372 |
4727 |
9099 |
For more information on our Council Tax Reduction scheme, visit our Council Tax Reduction page.
Performance
Our average processing times in 2025/265 were:
Day per claim: 14.6
Days per change of circumstances: 2.96
We were well within the government guidelines for processing times.
Exempt accommodation
For claims treated as exempt accommodation, the portion of our caseload is as follows:
|
Year |
Number of claims |
Annual payments |
|---|---|---|
|
2025/2026 |
756 |
£71,08857.20 |
|
2024/2025 |
765 |
£62,45640 |
|
2023/2024 |
768 |
£56,59427 |
|
2022/2023 |
804 |
£47,73701 |
We are not required to, nor do we split out costs between supported and exempt.
Discretionary Housing Payments
|
|
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Awarded |
231 |
281 |
288 |
258 |
|
Refused |
299 |
359 |
319 |
382 |
|
Repeat application |
34 |
43 |
45 |
39 |
|
Reconsidered |
37 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
|
Rent shortfall |
37 |
37 |
29 |
2 |
|
Under 35 restrictions |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Universal Credit |
133 |
155 |
234 |
260 |
|
Removal costs |
17 |
28 |
38 |
43 |
|
Benefit cap |
6 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
Bedroom tax |
6 |
10 |
5 |
0 |
|
Rent in advance |
22 |
40 |
64 |
68 |
|
Other |
10 |
8 |
1 |
9 |
|
Average one-off |
£870.99 |
£443.83 |
£508.89 |
£696.78 |
|
Average ongoing per week |
£54.90 |
£45.83 |
£52.15 |
£59.59 |
|
Average duration |
79 days |
78 days |
75 days |
61 days |
The main reasons for refusing DHP are claimants failing to provide evidence and information to support their applications or not meeting the eligibility criteria which can be found on our Discretionary Housing Payment webpage.
Temporary/emergency accommodation
We do not hold a list of exempt accommodation providers in the Arun area.
Amounts paid to landlords/suppliers for temporary/emergency accommodation on a lease basis:
| Property type | Lowest paid (lease basis) | Highest paid (lease basis) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bed | £19.55 p/w | £528.80 p/w |
| 2 bed | £14.90 p/w | £375.63 |
| 3 bed | None | None |
| 4 bed | None | None |
| 5 bed | None | None |
Make a request
If you still cannot find what you are looking for please visit our Freedom of Information page to make a formal request.