Tenants And Homeowners Urged To Check Eligibility For New Rate Rebate Scheme

Tenants and homeowners are being urged to check their eligibility for the new Rate Rebate Scheme.

The new scheme, from Land & Property Services (LPS), entitles ratepayers in receipt of Universal Credit to a rebate on their rates and is being rolled out in conjunction with Universal Credit across Northern Ireland.

To apply for Rate Rebate the tenant or homeowner must be of working age, in receipt of Universal Credit and live in the property. Tenants or homeowners can only make a claim for Rate Rebate once awarded Universal Credit and any claim should be made as soon as possible following their first payment of Universal Credit. Claims should be made within three months to ensure no partial loss of any subsequent award.

Eligibility information on the new Rate Rebate for homeowners, tenants in social housing and private rented housing is available here.

Rate Rebate is a very straightforward online application through nidirect. Claimants register for an online account using their own email address and following registration make their online application.

Colum Boyle, Chief Executive of Land & Property Services, said: "As part of our ongoing drive for digital services, the Rate Rebate application has been designed to be as user friendly as possible with the online application typically taking 3-4 minutes. I would urge anyone who has been awarded Universal Credit to check their eligibility and apply now for this rebate."

If Universal Credit has not been yet rolled out in a particular area or a person is not eligible for Universal Credit, such as pensioners, rates support will continue through Housing Benefit.

(MH)