The new Rate Rebate scheme will replace Housing Benefit for rates for tenants who claim Universal Credit.
Your Universal Credit payment will not include money towards your rates.
You can apply for Rate Rebate if you’re already getting Universal Credit and you’re:
- a homeowner living in your own property
- a tenant living in social housing owned by the Housing Executive
- a tenant living in social housing owned by a housing association
- a tenant living in private rented housing
You can’t apply for Rate Rebate if you live in supported accommodation.
How do I claim Rate Rebate?
For help with claiming Rate Rebate, contact our Welfare Advice Officers.
Telephone: 028 7130 4800
Office hours: 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday
There are two steps to claiming Rate Rebate.
You must:
- create and activate your online Rate Rebate account
- log in to your Rate Rebate account and apply
You should claim Rate Rebate as soon as possible after you’re awarded Universal Credit. If you don’t apply within three months, you might lose some of your entitlement to backdated Rate Rebate.
To claim Rate Rebate, you must provide:
- your date of birth
- National Insurance number
- information about others living in the property
- information about a partner if you have one