Financial help

You may be able to get financial help from the Housing Executive or the social security agency if you have been intimidated.

Emergency grants
Community care grants
Crisis loans
Housing benefit
Northern Ireland Memorial Fund
Compensation

Emergency grants

You can apply for an emergency grant of £754 if you have been intimidated from your home. This grant is only payable to people who were Housing Executive, housing association or private tenants at the time of the intimidation attack and who have been granted intimidation points under the Common Selection Scheme.

To qualify for the grant you must also have

Been permanently re-housed as a tenant of the Housing Executive or registered housing association in Northern Ireland; or

Ceased to become an applicant for Housing Executive or housing association accommodation and became a tenant of other accommodation in Northern Ireland which the Housing Executive is satisfied is likely to remain available to you for a period of at least six months; or

Become an owner occupier in Northern Ireland.

Contact your local Housing Executive District Office for more information on emergency grants.

Community care grants

You may be able to apply for a community care grant if you have been intimidated. You will usually be eligible if the Housing Executive decide that you are eligible for intimidation points.

You can usually get a community care grant to cover travel expenses if you have had to leave Northern Ireland because of intimidation.

Crisis loans

You can apply for a crisis loan if you need money because your home has been destroyed. It could help you pay for essential things that you can't afford, such as:

food or clothing
rent in advance if you have to move
charges for staying in a bed and breakfast
rent in a hostel
minor repairs and improvements linked to the emergency or disaster

You won't get a crisis loan for most other housing costs. For example, mortgage repayments, your rent or rates.

Housing benefit

You can get housing benefit to pay for your home if you had to leave due to fear of violence. Housing benefit may be available for up to a year.

You can also get housing benefit for two homes if you had to leave your home because of violence but you intend to return to it.

Northern Ireland Memorial Fund

The Northern Ireland Memorial Fund is designed to help low income households who have been injured or lost a family member as a result of violence. The fund helps with essential household items or services. You can get a grant of up to £500.