Housing Benefit and Rate Relief for homeowners
Homeowners who are pensioners can apply for Housing Benefit and Rate Relief to help pay all or some of their rates. Land and Property Services is in charge of the Housing Benefit and Rate Relief scheme for homeowners.
Homeowners who can apply
If both you and your partner (if you have one) have reached pension age you must:
- not have capital over £50k
- be an owner occupier
- not be in a co-ownership or rental buy scheme
- not already get Housing Benefit and Rate Relief from the Housing Executive (NIHE)
- not already get Universal Credit
State Pension age calculator
You can use the Government State Pension age calculator to check your state pension age at: Check your State Pension age
Receiving Universal Credit
You can't claim Housing Benefit and Rate Relief to help pay your rates if you're of working age and can claim or already get Universal Credit. You must apply for Rate Rebate if you want help paying your rates.
Homeowners already receiving other allowances
If you are entitled to other allowance schemes for rates, such as Disabled Person’s Allowance (DPA) or Lone Pensioner’s Allowance (LPA), this will not affect your entitlement to Housing Benefit and Rate Relief.
Your income and household
To assess your application for Housing Benefit and Rate Relief, LPS needs information about your income and household circumstances. They’ll ask about:
- you and your partner, if you have one
- your children or anyone living with you
- anyone you share ownership of the property with, other than your partner
- you and your partner’s income, including any benefits you already receive as wages, grants, pensions (from your former employer), or any income you receive from additional property or land you own
- capital you and your partner have in stocks, shares, bank, building society or savings accounts
Applying for Housing Benefit and Rate Relief
To apply for Housing Benefit and Rate Relief as a homeowner, you must complete an application form and send the form to Land & Property Services (LPS), along with supporting documents.