Housing benefit is a social security benefit which helps people on low income with their housing costs. It can cover rent, rates and some service charges.

You don't need to be on benefits to claim housing benefit.

What is housing benefit?

Housing benefit is a benefit which helps people on low income with their housing costs. This page explains more about what it is, what it covers and who can claim it. More

What is eligible rent?

Eligible rent is the rent used to work out your housing benefit. There are many reasons why your eligible rent may not be the same as the rent you are actually charged. More

Who can claim housing benefit?

You can claim housing benefit if you pay rent or rates for your home. You don’t have to be unemployed or claiming other benefits to get housing benefit. You will only be allowed to claim housing benefit if you pass six tests. More

How to claim housing benefit?

If you think you may be entitled to housing benefit, you should claim as soon as possible. Housing benefit is usually awarded from the Monday following the date of your application. More

How much housing benefit will I get?

The amount of housing benefit you get depends on your personal circumstances. It is rare that housing benefit will cover the whole of the rent you have to pay your landlord. More

Single people

Most single people under 25 who rent from a private landlord will only get housing benefit to pay for a single room in a shared house. There are separate rules about housing benefit entitlements if you have been in care. Most full time students can't claim housing benefit. More

Students

Every tenant has a right to apply for housing benefit. However, most students at university or college are not entitled to it, unless they fall into certain categories. More

Pre-tenancy determinations

Local housing allowance rates will give you an indication of what your eligible rent would be for a certain type of property in certain location. These rates, in effect, act like pre-tenancy determinations. For properties with more than 5 bedrooms, you will still have to apply for pre-tenancy determination, if you wish to know how much help with your rent you may get. More

Problems with housing benefit

The rules about housing benefit are complicated. This section outlines some of the most common problems you may experience with your housing benefit application. More

My first payment is late

The Housing Executive must make a decision about your housing benefit application within 14 days of your application. If the Housing Executive doesn’t tell you the decision within 14 days, you may be entitled to an interim payment. More

Challenging a housing benefit decision

Your housing benefit application may be turned down for a number of reasons. If you don’t agree with the Housing Executive's decision, you may be able to challenge it. This section outlines the process for appealing the decision. More

Extra housing benefit

Private tenants can apply for extra housing benefit if the amount they are getting doesn’t cover their rent. This is known as a discretionary housing payment. The Housing Executive decides how much money you will get. You must show that you will suffer hardship if you don’t get the extra housing benefit. More

Extended payments

If some of your benefit entitlements come to an end because you have taken up employment, increased your hours of work or your earnings, you may be able to continue receiving housing benefit for an additional four week period. This is knows as the extended payments scheme. More

Keeping your claim up to date

It is important that you tell the Housing Executive about a change in your circumstances. This section explains how to keep your claim up to date and what could happen if you don’t tell the Housing Executive when your circumstances change. More

Housing benefit for rates

Whether you own or rent your home, you may get housing benefit to help you pay your rates. This is known as rate relief or housing benefit for rates. More

Supporting people & housing benefit

Your housing benefit statements may show that you are getting less housing benefit if you are getting Supporting People services. This is because the full cost of the support service is now paid to the provider, rather than as part of your housing benefit. More