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When everyone has a home

Housing advice for Northern Ireland

Help with housing costs through Universal Credit

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Lots of people are struggling to manage with housing issues because of the coronavirus crisis. Check out our Coronavirus section for information and advice on common problems, including help to pay your rent and mortgage, eviction and repairs.

Universal Credit includes help with rent costs and, as long as you meet certain conditions, with mortgage interest. You need to include your claim for housing costs as part of your larger Universal Credit application

Claiming help with housing costs under Universal Credit

If you aren’t already claiming Universal Credit, you will need to set up an account and start your claim. When you go through the online form, you will be asked about your housing costs.

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How much will my UC housing costs element be?

The amount of help you’ll get towards your housing costs depends on a number of things. The housing costs element of UC is worked out differently for people who rent privately, people who rent from a social landlord and for homeowners.

 

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Help with rates if you are claiming Universal Credit

You can’t get help with rates as part of your Universal Credit claim. Instead, you will be able to apply for a rates rebate. Land & Property Services will be in charge of managing the rates rebate system.

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UC housing costs if you can't live in your home or are living in two homes

The housing costs element of Universal Credit can only help with costs on the home you are actually living in. It is sometimes possible to get help with the housing costs for a home you aren’t living in, but this depends on your reasons for not staying there. It’s also possible to get housing costs paid on two homes, but only in very limited circumstances.

 

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What happens to your UC housing costs if you move home?

You need to update your Universal Credit account if you move home.

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Getting extra help with your housing costs

You may be able to get some extra financial help if you are getting the housing costs element of Universal Credit but you are still struggling with your housing costs.

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