Housing Benefit and Rate Relief for rates

Which scheme is yours

• You and any partner have reached State Pension age: Housing Benefit and Rate Relief, from the Housing Executive.
• You get Universal Credit or can claim it: Rate Rebate, from LPS. You cannot claim Housing Benefit for rates.
• You are 70 or over and live alone: also look at Lone Pensioner Allowance, which isn't means tested and can be held alongside.

Check your State Pension age on GOV.UK.

Homeowners

If you and your partner have both reached pension age, you can apply if you:

• don't have capital over £50,000
• own and live in the home
• aren't in a co-ownership or rental purchase scheme
• don't already get Housing Benefit and Rate Relief
• don't get Universal Credit

The Housing Executive pays any award to LPS, which credits it to your rates account. Help runs to the end of the rating year, as a lump sum for the year or from the start of your claim.

When you apply, your claim is automatically dated three months earlier if you met the conditions then. It can't go back further unless an office made a mistake.

Tenants

Tenants of pension age can claim Housing Benefit for rent and rates, whether they rent from the Housing Executive, a housing association or a private landlord, or live in a hostel or as a lodger. You can't claim if you or your partner have savings over £16,000, unless you get Guarantee Credit, or if you rent from a close relative who lives with you.

If you don't qualify for Housing Benefit, you might still qualify for Rate Relief on its own, using the same application form. Housing Benefit for tenants can be backdated up to one month in some cases, or three months if you're over Pension Credit age.

How much you could get

The Housing Executive compares your weekly income, including benefits and earnings, and your capital with an "applicable amount", which is what the government says your household needs. If your income is below it, you may get help with all your rates. If it's above, you may get some help and a bill for the rest. Other adults living with you, apart from a partner or joint owner, are assumed to contribute, which can reduce an award.

If you get Guarantee Credit or income-based Employment and Support Allowance, you might get the maximum. A full award means you don't get a rates bill.

This site's calculator can't estimate Housing Benefit or Rate Relief. They depend on income, savings and who lives with you, not on the value of your home. Use the official checkers below, then apply.

• nidirect benefits calculator, to see what you might be entitled to
• Housing Benefit calculator, linked from nidirect for the Housing Executive

How to apply

Apply to the Housing Executive online or on a paper form, with supporting documents. You can ask for a form on 03448 920 902 (text relay 18001 03448 920 902), or apply through the Pension Service if you're claiming Pension Credit. Apply as soon as you can. If you're waiting for a new home's capital value and don't yet have a bill, apply straight away anyway.

Tell the Housing Executive about changes such as someone moving in or out or a change in income. If you disagree with a decision, ask for an explanation or a reconsideration within one month, then you can appeal to an independent tribunal.