Welcome to Housing Advice NI
Written and updated by Housing Rights and funded by the Housing Executive, Housing Advice NI is the home of independent housing advice in Northern Ireland.
LATEST: Universal Credit rolls out to the Falls and Shankhill
The Falls and Shankill are the first areas in Belfast to get Universal Credit. It was introduced on the 13 June, and replaces Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Income based Job Seekers Allowance and income related Employment and Support Allowance. Anyone of working age who gets these benefits will be affected.
LATEST: The help you get to pay your mortgage interest has changed
The Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) benefit came to an end on 5 April 2018, and has been replaced with the offer of a loan.
LATEST: Rates help for Universal Credit claimants
Did you know that Universal Credit doesn't include any help with your rates payments? Instead, you'll have to claim a separate type of assistance, known as a rate rebate. You do this via NI Direct. This short video explains how you go about submitting your claim for rate rebate. It's important to do this as soon as you've started to receive Universal Credit to make sure that you don't miss out on any help you're entitled to.
