Housing Executive take over Housing Benefit claims for homeowners 

The Housing Executive will deal with Housing Benefit and Rates Relief claims for homeowners from 1 June 2022. Land & Property Services will continue to deal with claims until then. 

This change should make it easier for people to get help with their rates bill and is seen as the best use of resources.  

Existing Housing Benefit claims from homeowners 

LPS will transfer its caseload of open and ongoing claims to the Housing Executive on 1 June 2022.  

From 1 June you should contact the Housing Executive if you are a homeowner with a Housing Benefit or Rates Relief claim and you need to 

• Find out anything about your claim 
• Report a change in circumstances 

Getting help to pay rates as a homeowner 

From 1 June apply to the Housing Executive for help if  

• You own your home and need help to pay your rates and 
• You're a single pensioner or you’re part of a couple and you are both pension age 

You can apply online from 1 June 2022. Ask the Housing Executive to send you a form if you cannot apply online.  

Help to pay rates if you get Universal Credit

Apply online for a rates rebate from Land & Property Services if 

• You own your home and need help to pay you rates and 
• You are working age or you’re a pensioner but your partner is working age and 
• You get Universal Credit 

You can only get a rates rebate if you are already getting Universal Credit. Contact Make the Call if you receive other benefits to find out how you’ll be affected if you switch to Universal Credit.  

Hear more about this change from the Housing Executive 

We are delighted that the Housing Executive will be attending our next Housing Advice Practitioners’ Forum in June to explain these changes and how they will affect our service users.  

The Housing Advice Practitioners' Forum meets three times a year and is an opportunity for Housing Rights members to ensure they are kept updated on housing issues, as well as a forum for discussion on common issues facing their clients. 

Contact Faith Westwood for more information or to book your place