Housing Benefit (Northern Ireland) - Can I get Housing Benefit?

You can get Housing Benefit if:

• You are at least state pension age, or if you are in a couple, both of you are at least state pension age, or
• You are homeless and have been placed in temporary accommodation by the Housing Executive or you are in supported or sheltered accommodation. 

You must also: 

• Be responsible for paying the rent on the home where you normally live, and
• Have a low enough income, and
• Your capital and savings are under £16,000 (unless you get Guarantee Pension Credit, in which case there is no capital limit)
• Not be getting Universal Credit 

Housing Benefit for those below state pension age 

If you haven't reached state pension age yet and need support with housing costs, you should make a claim for Universal Credit. 

Housing Benefit and mixed age couples 

If one partner has reached state pension age and the other hasn't, you should speak to a welfare benefits adviser to see what options are available. You can also use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to check what you can get. 

Type of accommodation that Housing Benefit supports

It does not matter if your landlord is a private landlord or if you have a social landlord. If you live with a partner, only one of you can claim Housing Benefit for you both. If you qualify, Housing Benefit can be paid whether or not you are working.

Housing Benefit does not cover a mortgage. See our Support for Mortgage Interest guide if you are a homeowner.

In Northern Ireland, if you own your own home and qualify for Housing Benefit, you can claim Housing Benefit to help with the rates. Housing Benefit for rates is sometimes called 'rate relief'.

You do not qualify for Housing Benefit if you live in the home of a close relative.