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Housing Benefit

If you rent your home and have a low income, you might be entitled to Housing Benefit. Housing Benefit can help pay the rent and rates on your home. To claim, you apply to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

For more information about Housing Benefit visit the nidirect website

Universal Credit is replacing Housing Benefit. New claims can only be made in certain circumstances. You can speak to our Welfare Advice Officers if you would like to know more about this.

Do I qualify for Housing Benefit?

You can claim Housing Benefit if you’re employed or unemployed. To be eligible for Housing Benefit, you must be liable for paying rent or rates on a property you live in as your main home.

To decide how much Housing Benefit you’re entitled to, the Housing Executive compares your income with the amount the government says you need.

You can’t claim Housing Benefit if:

  • you or your partner have savings over £16,000, unless you’re entitled to Guarantee Credit
  • you rent your home from a close relative who lives in the same property
  • you’re responsible for a child and pay rent to the landlord who is the child’s parent
  • you’re entitled to Universal Credit

What does Housing Benefit cover?

You can claim Housing Benefit for:

  • rent
  • rates
  • some service charges

You can’t claim Housing Benefit for:

  • meals
  • fuel charges
  • cleaning your home

You might not get Housing Benefit for all your rent.
 

How do I claim Housing Benefit?

Our Welfare Advice Officers can help with Housing Benefit applications.
Telephone: 028 7130 4800
Office hours: 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday

You can apply online for Housing Benefit

You can also:

  • download an application form
  • ask the Housing Executive to send you a form
  • collect an application form in a Housing Executive office

You can apply for Housing Benefit:

  • directly to the Housing Executive
  • through a Jobs and Benefits office if you’re claiming Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • through the Pension Service if you’re claiming Pension Credit

My circumstances have changed, what do I do?

If you already receive Housing Benefit and your circumstances change you need to tell the Housing Executive immediately. The change could affect your entitlement to Housing Benefit and the amount you receive.

You must tell the Housing Executive if there are any changes to your:

  • Income
  • Household
  • Children / childcare
  • Absence from your home
  • Accommodation