Lone Pensioner Allowance

Applying for Lone Pensioner Allowance

Tenants who pay rates and are eligible for LPA apply to the Housing Executive (NIHE) using an NIHE application form.

Home owners who pay rates and are eligible for LPA apply to Land & Property Services (LPS) using an LPS application form. 

Lone Pensioner Allowance for tenants

Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA) entitles you to 20 per cent discount on your rates if:

• you are a pensioner aged 70 or over
• you live on your own 
• you rent your home
• you pay rates for your home

How to qualify for LPA

LPA is not means-tested. Getting the allowance does not depend on your income or savings.

To qualify for LPA, you must live alone. If you are no longer able to live on your own because you need someone to help care for you,  you might still be entitled to LPA. When you apply, the Housing Executive (NIHE) will ask you about the person who lives with you.

If you are entitled to LPA, you will continue to receive this unless:

• someone comes to live with you
• you no longer have to pay rates
• the amount you have to pay for your rates changes

Applying for LPA

To get this allowance, you need to fill in an application form. You will need to provide:

• your National Insurance number
• your date of birth
• how much you pay for your rates if you rent from a private landlord or housing association

If you are a Housing Executive tenant, or you own your own home, you don't need to tell them how much you pay for your rates.

If you rent your home or you previously owned the property you live in and you still pay rates, download an application form or ask for a form:

• Lone Pensioner Allowance for help with rates
• telephone: 03448 920 902 
• at your local office

How LPA is paid

LPA is always paid direct into an account for you. This could be:

• your rent or rates account if you are a Housing Executive or a housing association tenant
• your rate account if you are a private tenant or you pay your rates to Land & Property Services

Lone Pensioner Allowance for home owners

Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA) entitles you to 20 per cent discount on your rates if:

• you are a pensioner aged 70 or over
• you live on your own 
• you own your home
• you pay rates for your home

If someone else lives with you, you may still be entitled to the allowance, if they are providing care to you and they're not a disqualified relative.

The allowance is not means tested. This means  you don't need to provide information about your income or savings to be eligible. You can also claim the allowance on top of any other benefits such as Housing Benefit or Rate Relief.

How to claim Lone Pensioner Allowance

If you own and occupy your home, you must apply through Land & Property Services (LPS).  Once the allowance has been awarded, there is no need to re-apply because it will be applied to your rate bill every year.

To apply, you must fill in an application form. You can download the form below. You can edit the form. This allows you to fill in the form onscreen and print. You can also download the form to fill it in.

Sign the form and send to the address shown on the form. 

• LPS Lone Pensioner Allowance application form

You can also get a form by asking LPS:

• telephone: 0300 200 7801
• text relay: 18001 0300 200 7801
• email: applicationbased.raterelief@finance-ni.gov.uk

You can write to:

If you want more information about help paying your rates, contact the outreach officer in LPS:

• email: outreach.uptake@finance-ni.gov.uk

More useful links

• People on a low income
• Unclaimed benefits? Make the call
• Domestic rate poundages 2019 to 2020