Apply for Housing Benefit and Rate Relief - tenants

When you apply for Housing Benefit you are also assessed for Rate Relief. This means that if you do not qualify for Housing Benefit, or only qualify for partial Housing Benefit, you may still be entitled to some help with your rates through the Rate Relief scheme.

How to use this service

The same form is used to apply for both Housing Benefit and Rate Relief. Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) staff will assess Housing Benefit eligibility in the first instance. If you do not qualify for full Housing Benefit, NIHE staff will then assess Rate Relief eligibility.

To apply, you must submit an application form. You can download this form using the link below:

• Download the HB1 Housing Benefit application form ( 592 KB)  - NIHE website
• Help with PDF files

More useful links

• Housing Benefit and Rate Relief
• Lone Pensioner Allowance
• Managing debt (money, tax and benefits section)
• Benefits and financial support (money, tax and benefits section)
• Managing money (money, tax and benefits section)