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If you are over 70 and live alone, you may be able to claim Lone Pensioner Allowance which discounts your rate bill by 20 per cent.
If someone else lives with you, you may still be entitled to the allowance provided that certain conditions are met.
Lone Pensioner Allowance scheme
To qualify for this rate relief, you must be:
- a pensioner aged 70 or over,
- living on your own (or with a resident carer - see below for exemptions),
- paying rates for your home.
Lone Pensioner Allowance is not means tested. If you satisfy the eligibility criteria (listed above), 20 per cent discount will be awarded to you regardless of your income and savings.
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Can I still qualify if I don't live alone?
To qualify for Lone Pensioner Allowance, you must live alone. However, in certain circumstances you may still be entitled to the allowance if someone lives with you.
For example, you may be granted the allowance if you live with:
- a resident carer who cares for you more than 35 hours per week,
- a person who is in long time care or in hospital,
- a person who is severely mentally impaired,
- a child under 18 or a person over 18 if someone is getting child benefit for them,
- a person for whom you provide care for more than 35 hours a week.
In situations where these conditions are met, the person living in your home may be 'disregarded' from your application and you will be treated as living alone.
This does not apply if you are being cared for by your spouse or a partner. If your carer is a close relative, he/she will be considered to be a part of your household and will 'disqualify' you from the Lone Pensioner Allowance scheme.
You will need to supply evidence with your application regarding the status of the person you live with, such as letters from the health professionals and copies of birth certificates or child benefit awards.
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Will this allowance affect my entitlements to other benefits?
Lone Pensioner Allowance will be awarded to you after all other reliefs you are entitled to, such as housing benefit, rate relief and disabled person's allowance are calculated. This is done to make sure that the allowance does not affect your entitlements to these reliefs.
As a non means-tested relief, Lone Pensioner Allowance will not normally affect other social security benefits you may claim.
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How long will I receive this allowance for?
If you are awarded Lone Pensioner Allowance, you will continue to receive 20% discount unless:
- someone comes to live with you,
- you no longer have to pay rates,
- the amount you have to pay for your rates changes.
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How do I apply?
To get this discount you will need to fill in a short application form. Download the application form.  Lone Pensioner Allowance rate relief (application form) (138.41 kB). Alternatively, you can get a copy of the form directly from Land & Property Services.
On the application form you will need to provide:
- your National Insurance number,
- your date of birth,
- the amount you pay for your rates, if you are a housing association or private rented sector tenant.
If you rent your home or you owned the property you live in and you still have to pay rates, telephone the Housing Executive on 08448 920902 or call in at your local district office for more information.
If you own and live in your own home, telephone Land & Property Services' helpline on 0845 300 6360 (textphone 0845 300 6361) or visit their local office.
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