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: 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.
LATEST: Find out more about Universal Credit advances
When you apply for Universal Credit, it can take up to six weeks to get your first payment. You can get financial help during this period by applying for a Universal Credit advance payment. Watch out short video to find out more about advance payments.
